AP Govt acquiring land through consent: Minister

Hyderabad, Mar 5 (UNI) Claiming that the relief and rehabilitation policy introduced by the UPA Government was one of the best in the country, Andhra Pradesh Major Irrigation Minister P Laxmaiah today told the Legislative Council that the Government was acquiring lands through consent award at irrigation project sites.

In a discussion on rehabilitation for Polavaram, SRSP and Telugu Ganga projects, he said 39,000 acres of land were identified for acquisition for the construction of Polavaram project.

The affected families would be provided alternative arrangements like allocation of house sites, compensation and agricultural lands to farmers, Mr Laxmaiah said, adding that a socio-economic survey was also being conducted in the affected Khammam, East and West Godavari districts.

Alleging that the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was trying to obstruct the project by aproaching courts, he said the officials concerned were conducting meetings before taking over lands.

CPI Floor leader P Nageswara Ro urged the Government to reduce the height of Polavaram project so that the submergence of a number of villages in Khammam district could be reduced.

CPI(M) Floor leader Ch Sitaramulu pointed out that the road connectivity in the tribal areas would be badly affected with the construction of Polavaram project.

TDP MLC P Yadagiri demanded that the Government amend the Land Acquisition Act and provide rehabilitation to all the affected families without any delay.

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