Judicial probe into Polavaram land acquisition demanded

Eluru: CPM State Secretariat member Mantena Sitaram demanded that the government conduct judicial inquiry with High Court sitting judge on the alleged corruption in relief and rehabilitation and land acquisition of Polavaram Project.

He participated as a chief guest at the CPM Upland District Committee extensive meeting held at the party’s district office here on Sunday.

Speaking at the meeting, Sitaram said the officials had taken up land acquisition to rehabilitate the displaced people in Polavaram, Kukunuru and Velairpadu mandals besides sanctioning land to land. However, the officials were including ineligible in the rehabilitation package list by replacing the eligible. 

He alleged that the officials were paying compensation to some other people instead of the actual possession holders of the land.  Some officials colluded with the middlemen and ruling party leaders and raised curtain for the corruption and irregularities, he alleged.

He said that 7,000 acres have been acquired to give land to the displaced tribes in Buttayagudem and Jeelugumilli mandals. However, they paid the compensation to ineligible persons.  

He alleged that the officials and the ruling party leaders indulged in embezzlement of funds to the tune of Rs 500 crore. He also alleged that the officials conducted the land acquisition against the Acts in Buttayagudem and Jeelugumilli mandals without examining the records and approval of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) and village meetings.

The CPM Upland District Committee secretary, Chintakayala Babu Rao demanded that the government sanction pattas to tribes for cultivating Podu lands. He also requested officials to record the crop loss that occurred due to untimely rain and gusty winds.
The CPM District Secretariat members P Kishore, R Lingaraju and Tellam Ramakrishna addressed the workers.