Latest news with #LPS2.0
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Grama sabha for LPS 2.0: farmers want clarity on status of Amaravati capital, higher compensation
There was mixed response from the farmers of the Amaravati capital region during the grama sabhas organised by the State government as part of the second phase of the Land Pooling Scheme (LPS 2.0), aimed at acquiring agricultural land for the expansion of the capital city. The meetings, held across Guntur and Palnadu districts, witnessed a wide range of questions and concerns from the farming community, particularly around the government's past performance, the future of Amaravati, and assurances for their livelihood. The State government, through the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), revenue authorities and local representatives, began conducting grama sabhas in villages. On Saturday, grama sabhas were conducted at Garikapadu, Ponnekallu, and Nidumukkala in Guntur district. The initiative was part of its renewed push to acquire land after announcing LPS 2.0. However, farmers were demanding accountability for the promises made during the first phase between 2014 and 2019. A key concern raised across all the meetings was the lack of clarity on the legal and political future of Amaravati as the capital city. Farmers wonder when Amaravati would officially be notified as the capital, and who would guarantee its status in case of a change in government after the next general elections. Many also sought a revised compensation package, citing increased land values and inflation over the past decade. Lack of trust At Ponnekallu, the villagers boycotted the grama sabha, saying the government had failed to build trust. Local farmer Devireddy Nagender Reddy said, 'The government didn't fulfill its promise of developing Amaravati after acquiring our land almost 10 years ago. Now it is seeking more land for expansion, without even notifying Amaravati as the official capital. Our lands are located in prime areas, not remote ones — with market values above ₹4 crore per acre. We need a much better compensation package to even consider this.' In contrast, the villagers at Garikapadu and Nidumukkala showed tentative support for LPS 2.0, but with a list of demands. They urged the government to provide detailed plans about the industries that were expected to be established in the second phase, the location and size of returnable plots, and a higher annuity. Concerns were also raised regarding benefits for landless families affected by the proposed land pooling. Tadikonda MLA Tenali Sravan Kumar, who was present at the meetings, along with APCRDA officials, assured that the feedback received would be compiled and presented to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for review. He reiterated the government's commitment to building a world-class capital, and stated that LPS 2.0 would be guided by transparency and mutual benefit. Despite the differing views, the grama sabhas underscored one aspect — the farmers want guarantees, not promises. As the State moves ahead with its capital expansion plans, the future of LPS 2.0 may well depend on how effectively it wins back the trust of its original stakeholders — the farmers.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers' response to Amaravati LPS positive, and concerns raised will be addressed, says Tadikonda MLA Sravan Kumar
The State government has almost completed the first round of consultations with the farmers on the proposed Amaravati Land Pooling Scheme (LPS 2.0) that is aimed at expanding the capital city, according to TDP's Tadikonda MLA Tenali Sravan Kumar. 'While a majority of the farmers in the Amaravati capital region are willing to part with their lands under the LPS to the A.P. Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), several others have expressed concerns and raised certain demands, which will be taken to the notice of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu,' Mr. Sravan Kumar told The Hindu on the sidelines of the grama sabha at Nidumukkala on Saturday. 'Many farmers are supportive of the government's vision, but they have raised pertinent issues regarding compensation and future benefits. We will ensure their voices reach the Chief Minister,' Mr. Sravan Kumar said. He said works costing more than ₹42,000 crore had already been initiated in the first phase of Amaravati construction, including government buildings and LPS layouts, with completion timelines ranging from nine months to three years. 'With the capital city evolving, the government is receiving an influx of proposals from private firms. New mega projects are in the pipeline, including a Quantum Valley, an international airport, and an international sports city, all necessitating significant additional land,' he said. To meet the growing demand, the government launched the LPS 2.0, targeting to pool over 47,000 acres across Tadikonda Assembly constituency in Guntur district and Pedakurapadu constituency in Palnadu district. 'The development under LPS 2.0 will not financially burden the government or the APCRDA. It will be self-sustained through investments from interested private companies. We are creating a model that is both visionary and viable'Tenali Sravan KumarTadikonda MLA Importantly, Mr. Sravan Kumar said the development under LPS 2.0 would not financially burden the government, or the APCRDA. 'It will be self-sustained through investments from interested private companies. We are creating a model that is both visionary and viable,' the MLA asserted. Acknowledging the farmers' demand for revised compensation, especially in comparison with the market value of already developed plots, Mr. Sravan Kumar said, 'While we understand their concerns, farmers must also realise that land values will increase manifold once development is complete. Still, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for them.' Taking a swipe at the previous YSRCP government, Mr. Sravan Kumar accused former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of halting development and disturbing over 1,200 acres of capital land in the first phase. 'As a result, the NDA government is now compelled to acquire land for the proposed sports city under LPS 2.0,' he said. 'Without sports infrastructure, we cannot expect international sporting events or nurture local talent,' he said. 'Out of the proposed 47,000 acres, only 10,000 acres will be available for direct government use after allocating land for returnable plots, green zones, public utilities, and infrastructure,' he added.
