Fulfil promises, oustees urge govt

Visakhapatnam: People of four villages- Revuvathada, Pisinigondipalem, Velpugondipalem and Devallapalem of Rambilli mandal- who lost their livelihood for the Navy Alternative Operation Base (NAOB), are alleging that the government is taking dual stand to fulfil their demands which have been agreed while taking their lands and houses for the BAOB.

In order to establish an alternative naval base to the Eastern Naval Command, selected the coastal pocket of four villages and the construction of the base is almost completed. During the land acquisition, the state government and the Centre assured to provide livelihood and other facilities to the villagers.

The government has assured 100 per cent research and rehabilitation, payment of compensation to the society lands, providing employment and livelihood, construction of two fishing jetties, construction of central school and construction of Central Health Centre among a several others. The government also assured to set up a residential school for fishermen community. However, the government is not taking care to fulfil the assurances given during the land acquisition.

Due to their displacement and who lost their livelihood and family profession have been demanding the Centre and state address their needs since 2010. Sarpanch of Vada Narsapuram gram panchayat Ch Yerraiah said that of assurances were not implemented and the government is taking a dual stand on major assurances, including providing employment and livelihood, construction of two fishing jetties, construction of central school and central health centre.

On the issue, Rajya Sabha MP V Vijayasai Reddy met Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi and urged her to intervene into the issue for a swift move to clear the long pending issues of the locals. After losing their livelihood, the locals are facing difficulties due to non-availability of work and due to distancing from the family profession, the MP told the Defence Minister.