Bhogapuram airport project: TDP demands inquiry into ‘lapses’ in payment of compensation
The Hindu
Many benami farmers were paid while true beneficiaries were ignored, allege party leaders
A delegation of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by party’s Vizianagaram parliamentary wing president Kimidi Nagarjuna on Monday demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government must conduct a high-level inquiry into the alleged payment of compensation to benami and ineligible farmers for the Bhogpuram airport project.
The delegation submitted a memorandum in this regard to Vizianagaram Collector A. Suryakumari. The TDP leaders said the memorandum explained about the reported irregularities made by revenue officials in payment of compensation to benami farmers.
“In total, 425 acres of government land were identified for the project. However, many farmers had been growing crops in the area for decades. As the land are in their possession, they are eligible for compensation. However, the officials identified others as people as beneficiaries and paid compensation to them with the support of local YSRCP leaders. It should be inquired thoroughly,” Mr. Nagarjuna told the media on Monday.
Many farmers from Kancheru, Kancherupalem, Kavulavada, Gudepuvalasa, Dallipeta accompanied the TDP leaders. The Collector assured the TDP delegation that an inquiry would be done and the grievances of the farmers would be taken to the notice of the government.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.