Congress asks Ramoji group to surrender 'excess land'

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (UNI) The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today demanded that Ramoji Rao group of companies immediately surrender 1363 acres of 'excess' land in the wake of the Land Reform Tribunal ruling in Rangareddy district.

Addressing a press conference here, Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy, along with his cabinet colleague P Sabita Reddy and Government whips N Kirankumar Reddy and S Udhayabhanu, pointed out that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had voluntarily surrendered the 'assigned lands' unknowingly purchased by his father.

If the noted media baron had any belief in high moral values preached by his daily, he should not appeal against the Tribunal's verdict in the High Court, he said.

In this context, Mr Reddy referred to CPI leader K Narayana's threat to plant red flags on Pradesh Congress President K Keshava Rao's house and asked the Left parties to convince the media baron to first surrender 1363 acres of excess land under the AP Land Reforms (ceiling on agriculture holdings) Act.

Terming as ''politically-motivated,'' the land stir launched by TDP leader T Devender Goud in Rangareddy district, Mines Minister Sabita Reddy suggested to the main opposition party to start their struggle for land from the land in question.

The Rajasekhara Reddy Government, which had given away 4.50 lakh acres so far, was determined to distribute another one lakh acres of cultivable land to the poor in coming November. The Government would not rest till all eligible poor people are given houses by 2009, he added.

UNI