Left out, leaders miffed

It is not only leaders of the the YSR Congress, but also Telugu Desam legislators who are displeased over the Cabinet committee proposal. 

 

The state government had constituted the committee headed by minister P. Narayana. Minister D. Umamaheswara Rao is the only representative from the proposed capital region on the committee. 

 

The local legislators feel that the state government’s plan to collect one lakh acres through the land pooling system will not be possible without their help. “How can the government collect lands from farmers without the intervention of local legislators?” questioned Mangalagiri MLA A. Ramakrishna Reddy.

 

He said that people come and meet legislators whenever they face any problems, especially on issues related to lands or government schemes. “It is shocking that the government has opted for a Cabinet committee. Fact is that local legislators are better equipped to deal with the people in their constituencies than the Cabinet,” he said. 

 

Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan said that if local legislators were part of any committee on land pooling, the government would have an easier time dealing with the farmers or other landowners. “We must respect the government’s wishes. Everyone, especially farmers, are ready to support Mr Naidu’s leadership,” he said. 

 

Another TD legislator, on condition of anonymity, said that the government’s decision to keep away local legislators from the land pooling process was not good. “The local legislators should have been included as it would smoothen the land acquisition process,” he said. 

 

Meanwhile, Left leaders Ch. Babu Rao and D. Shankar said that leaders from across the political spectrum must be on the panel. “Land pooling should be transparent and this is only possible if all political parties are involved in the process,” they said.