CPM against amendments to LA Act

Vijayawada: CPM State committee opposed forcible and indiscriminate land acquisition for various development projects, Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and other industrial purposes violating the Land Acquisition Act- 2013.

In a two-day State committee meeting here, CPM adopted a resolution opposing proposed amendments to existing Land Acquisition Act and forcible land acquisition on Thursday.

The State committee informed that the State government had already issued notices to acquire four lakh acres in 13 districts for proposed land bank scheme, which is planned to fulfill demands of corporate companies.

Besides, the government had also announced to acquire another 7.60 lakh acres for industrial and other needs. Most of them are adjacent to railway lines, costal line and roads and belong to Dalits, Tribal and other weaker section people.

The committee also said 32,761 acres had been acquired for SEZs in the State but only 5,000 acres of them were under utilisation.

The party said that thousands of farmers had been facing problems as they were not given compensation as per Land acquisition Act -2013.

“Villagers from 28 villages were displaced due to Vamsadhara project Phase-2 in Srikakulam district, but the government did not release compensation of Rs 450 crore for the same,” CPM senior leader M A Gafoor said.

Similarly, in Nellore district, 33,000 acres had been acquired in 6 villages of Chillakuru and Muthukuru mandals for power projects proposed by Jindal and other companies. “Jindal company has sold 434 acres at high rates and no one industry has been established in the lands even as 10 years are left” he said.

The party demanded return of 754 acres to farmers of Eruru and Chintavaram villages as no fabric company established industry even as lands entrusted to the companies.

“State government is contemplating to go for forcible land acquisition for Machilipatnam port in 33,000 acres, solar companies in Kurnool district and Nano chemical factories in Kadapa district ignoring concerns of farmers” he said.

Besides, the government also announced to acquire 43,859 acres in Chittoor and 41,163 acres in Prakasam district by not specifying needs behind the proposed land acquisition, he alleged.

The government was imposing illegal cases on Dalits, tribal and other weaker sections who were fighting for assigned lands acquired by lands lords in Chittoor, Nellore and Kurnool districts, CPM said.