Andhra Pradesh: SC/ST vigilance committee member abuses her position to threaten government officer

Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh: In a concerning turn of events, Chitikela Salom, a member of the District SC/ST Vigilance Monitoring Committee, has been accused of misusing her position to threaten a government officer. The controversy centers around the construction of a church on agricultural land along the national highway in Bandi Atmakuru village, which locals claim is being built without proper authorization.

The Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) of Nandyal, responsible for overseeing local developments, reportedly faced threats for denying permission for the church’s construction.

The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a legal rights group, reporting this issue, has said they plan to complain to concerned authorities, urging necessary action against misusing constitutional rights.

Chitikela Salom in her letter allegedly claimed that local Scheduled Castes (SCs) were behind the church’s construction, although she did not specify if they were Christians.

This situation brings to light a broader issue known in Andhra Pradesh, where many SCs practice Christianity but remain within the SC category to avail themselves of government benefits. Villagers allege that this practice is generally promoted by Christian leaders and pastors.

Residents of Bandi Atmakur vocally objected to the church’s construction, emphasizing that it is taking place on agricultural land on a national highway without due permission.

Section 3(1) of the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Land (Conversion for non Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2006 clearly states that: “–No agricultural land in the State shall be put to non-agricultural purposes, without the prior permission of the Competent authority”.

Whereas, Andhra Pradesh Government Order in its G.O M.S No. 376 dated 29-11-2012 amending Rule No 26 of Andhra Pradesh Gram Panchayat Land Development (Layout and Building) Rules, 2002 says: “ No site shall be used for the construction of a building intended for public worship or religious purposes without the prior approval of the Collector of the District who may refuse such approval if, in his opinion, the use of the site for the proposed construction of the building is likely to endanger public peace and order, after giving an opportunity to the applicant to show cause against such refusal “