Hyderabad: In a bombshell revelation, the Andhra Pradesh government released a comprehensive white paper detailing the extensive misappropriation of land, minerals, and forest resources under the previous administration led by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The document, presented by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, outlines a staggering series of violations that have cost the state billions in lost revenue and resources.
Click here to download the White Paper presented by Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu
Urban Land Grabbing
The white paper highlights rampant land grabbing in key urban centers such as Visakhapatnam, Ongole, Tirupati, and Chittoor. Key instances include:
Rama Naidu Studio: Land use was illegally changed from studio to residential without proper authorization.
Hayagreeva Lands: 12.51 acres designated for an old age home were diverted for residential development, resulting in an FIR against former MP M.V.V. Satyanarayana.
మన ఆస్తి పట్టా పైన, ఈ సైకో ఫోటో వేసుకున్నాడు. మీ తాత, తండ్రులు ఇచ్చిన భూమి మీద, ఈ సైకో ఫోటో వేసుకుని ఊరేగటానికి రూ.13 కోట్లు తగలేసాడు#NaraChandrababuNaidu #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/rhCqrRbFK8
— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) July 15, 2024
SAHI Hearing Care: 1 acre of land worth Rs 15.333 crores was allotted free of cost.
Dasapalla Lands: MVV & MK Housing illegally undertook apartment development on 10.57 acres.
MVV Builders: Illegal construction activities led to more than Rs 65 crores in Transfer of Development Rights (TDR).
Sarada Peetham: 15 acres of land valued at Rs 22 crore were alienated at a mere ₹1 lakh per acre in Kothavalasa.
Ongole Land Scam: Rs 101 Crores
తన సొంత పార్టీ కార్యాలయాలు, అందులో ప్యాలెస్ లు కట్టుకోవటానికి, రూ.300 కోట్లు విలువైన, 40.78 ఎకరాలు రాసిచ్చేసాడు..#NaraChandrababuNaidu #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/jxUiHy6TqS
— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) July 15, 2024
YSRCP leaders were involved in identifying properties under family disputes, unclaimed lands, and empty sites for illegal occupation. Fake documents were created, and properties were forcibly occupied with the aid of goons and complicit government officials.
Tirupati Land Irregularities: Rs 270 Crores
Several government lands, including 4.5 acres of Kaluva Poramboke and 27.14 acres in Tirupati, were illegally removed from the 22A list, facilitating illegal occupation and development.
Chittoor Land Scam: Rs 99 Crores
Ryotwari Pattas were illegally granted for 982 acres in violation of the Estate Abolition Act, benefiting YSRCP leaders based on fake documents.
గత ప్రభుత్వంలో జగన్ రెడ్డి ముఠా కొట్టేసిన భూముల విలువ రూ.36 వేల కోట్లు#NaraChandrababuNaidu #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/TnNr2Dj8IH
— Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) July 15, 2024
House Site Pattas: Systematic Misappropriation
The report uncovers a massive scam involving the misappropriation of house site pattas meant for SC/ST/BC beneficiaries. Over 10,000 acres were forcibly taken, with YSRCP leaders acquiring lands at low costs before government acquisition at inflated prices. The estimated loss exceeds Rs 3,000 crore. Notably, 361 acres of Ava land in East Godavari District, unsuitable for housing, were acquired at high rates, depriving 15,109 intended beneficiaries.
Land for YSRCP Offices:
In an unprecedented move, over 40.78 acres of prime land worth more than Rs 300 crore were allotted to the YSRCP virtually free of cost across all 26 districts. Construction began without required permissions, particularly in Tadepalli, where irrigation land was utilized without departmental approval.
Exploitation of Mineral Wealth: A Deep-Rooted Crisis
The white paper reveals a Rs 19,000 crore loss due to illegal mining operations between 2019 and 2024. Key points include:
Illegal Sand Mining: Losses of over Rs 7,000 crore due to unauthorized operations, environmental violations, and the use of heavy machinery in riverbeds.
Minor Minerals: An additional Rs 1,000 crore was lost due to mismanagement and corruption in seigniorage fee collection.
The document describes how private agencies aligned with YSRCP leaders manipulated the system, leading to rampant illegal mining and environmental degradation.
From 2014-19, there was a 150 per cent growth in mineral revenue, but between 2019-24, inefficient governance and inappropriate policy-making led to a cumulative loss of around Rs 9750 crores.
Forest Wealth Issues
Smuggling of Redsanders: The white paper reveals extensive smuggling of Redsanders facilitated by political leaders and characterized by insufficient staffing and budgetary constraints.
Illegal Mining and Encroachment: Instances of illegal mining and forest land encroachment in Chittoor, Nellore, and Palanadu districts were documented. Encroachments and illegal activities were reported with some cases leading to legal actions.
Mangrove Forest for Jagananna Housing Colony: The destruction of 58 acres of mangrove forest for housing projects was halted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which also imposed an interim compensation of ₹5 Crores.
Government’s Action Plan
The white paper concludes by emphasizing the enormous financial impact of the misappropriations and violations discussed. To protect citizens and prevent future frauds, the government plans to create a public complaint portal for citizens to file complaints and report illegal activities, and introduce the “AP Land Grabbing Act,” modeled after the Gujarat Land Grabbing Act 2020, which will impose stricter penalties for land grabbing activities.
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