Centre to adopt AP land management project

Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) Taking a cue from Andhra Pradesh, the Union Government will launch a countrywide programme on Integrated Land Management shortly, State Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao said today.

Tabling a statement in the Assembly for a short duration discussion on government lands and related issues, he said the state's pilot ''Bhoobharathi'' project in Nizamabad on surveying lands and granting land titles, had attracted the Centre's attention.

The Centre was in the process of launching the programme nationwide, he said.

Based on the present level of success of the innovative project, the state government decided to extend the project to five more districts.

He dismissed as ''unwarranted and motivated'' the Opposition allegations the government not being committed to land reforms.

Mr Rao urged all sections of the House to help the government address various land-related issues that had come up and strengthen its hands.

The administration had vigorously taken up distribution of government lands to the poor, a massive housing programme and irrigation initiative, he said and sought the House's cooperation in these initiatives.

The government conducted an extensive survey of assigned lands and detected violations with regard to 5.15 lakh acre, he said, adding notices were being issued to the violators and action taken to resume lands and reassign them or to put them to public use.

''The government had so far distributed 4.37 lakh acre to 3.14 lakh poor people.

''It is examining means to implement the Koneru Ranga Rao Committee report which examined various land laws and suggested measures, including enactment of new laws, amendments to existing laws and structural reorganisation in government departments,'' the Minister added.

UNI