Return Kakinada SEZ land to farmers

HYDERABAD: The TDP  has decided to support the farmers’ cause and fight against the forcible acquisition of lands from them in the name of SEZs and industrialisation. As a first step towards its fight against illegal land deals, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to visit Kakinada SEZ on April 19 and extend support to the agitating farmers there.Naidu held a meeting with senior party leaders here on Thursday to decide the type of agitation to be taken up against land allotments made by the then chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Naidu constituted a five-member committee to study whether the lands allotted by the government were used or diverted by the industrialists for real estate business.The five-member committee includes Kalava Srinivasulu, Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, Konakalla Narayana Rao, M Kishan Reddy and Dadi Veerabhadra Rao. Naidu noted that arable lands were forcibly acquired by the YSR government from the farmers and were later sold for higher prices to those close to the corridors of power. The YSR govt hoodwinked the farmers by making false promises of bringing SEZs, projects, industries and creating huge employment. By promising the moon, the YSR government ushered in neo-Zamindari system in the state, Naidu alleged.“If TDP is voted to power we will cancel all illegal land deals and return the rich arable lands to the native farmers,” Naidu said.Naidu said YSR govt had doled out 8,800 acres to Lepakshi Knowledge city in Anantapur, 16,000 acres to Vanpic and 15,000 acres to Brahmani Steels. ‘’TDP will wage a relentless battle against govt till farmers get their lands back,’’ he said. “Those who got land from govt mortgaged them to banks and invested money in industries owned by YSR family. We will take back all lands,” Naidu averred.If industrialists wants to set up SEZs or industries they should purchase lands directly from farmers after paying the prevailing market price. The govt should not act as a broker between farmers and industrialists, Naidu contended. “TDP will fight till justice is done to farmers,” Naidu declared.