YSR land issue kicks up row in AP house

Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Assembly today witnessed heated exchanges over assigned land, surrendered by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and his family in Idupulapaya, culminating in a walkout by members of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party.

Tempers ran high during Question Hour in the House when TDP Legislature Party Deputy leader N Janardhan Reddy, waving pictures of satellite imagery of the land of the Chief Minister and his family surrounded by a compound wall, put a series of questions with regard to the land in question.

''How will the original allottees come forward to take back the lands when a compound wall has been erected,'' the TDP leader asked, even as ruling party members exhibited their lung power.

Amidst uproar, Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao accused the TDP of resorting to mudslinging with ''ulterior motives'', instead of appreciating the Chief Minister's ''noble gesture'' of voluntarily surrendering assigned lands held by him and his family members.

The Minister said 305.77 acres of land in question were being used for setting up IIIT, Yogivemana University and 21st Century Gurukulam. As many as 23.99 acres were allocated to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation and the balance would be used for public utility like roads.

As utter pandemonium prevailed in the House, Speaker K R Suresh Reddy adjourned the House for tea break.

When the House reassembled, the TDP members were on their feet, demanding withdrawal of an amendment to the Act 8 of 2007, empowering the State to resume taking possession of assigned lands for public purpose and restoration of the assigned lands back to original allottees.

Dissatisfied with the Minister's reply, Mr Janardhan Reddy led his party members out of the House.

UNI