'AP Government forcing farmers to surrender land for new capital' says former Congress MP

Vijayawada: Former Congress MP Undavalli Arun Kumar on Thursday alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government is coercing farmers to surrender their land for the construction of new capital regions around Vijayawada.

Speaking to reporters during his tour to the region here, the former MP from Rajahmundry further alleged that land pooling is 'voluntary' but officials are forcing farmers in the proposed capital region villages to hand over the consent letter by surrendering their lands.

He said that officials have created fear among people to relinquish their land, adding that the government has not given any clarity on the compensation and rehabilitation of the displaced farmers after land pooling.

Kumar in an apparent jibe over state government's move to rope in Singapore to prepare the masterplan for the new capital, said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks of 'Make in India' and promote domestic companies, Naidu has brought Singapore to develop new AP capital.

He said the chief minister should first concentrate on improving the revenue resources for the state and also fully implement provisions of AP Reorganisation Act.