Bhatti slams BRS for flouting land acquisition norms, threatening oustees

HYDERABAD: Congress Legislature Party leader Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday lashed out at the BRS government for violating the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, while acquiring land for the Uddandapur reservoir project construction in Jadcherla.

“BRS leaders and government officials concerned are harassing those displaced by the Uddandapur project for seeking acquisition of their lands as per the provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 2013,” Bhatti said.

Addressing mediapersons during his yatra, he said it was the responsibility of the government to rehabilitate those displaced by projects. “But these norms and provisions have been thrown to the wind and villagers are being intimidated with the help of police,” he said.

As part of his yatra, Bhatti Vikramarka will hold a public meeting in Jadcherla on Thursday, with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukku expected to attend the event as the chief guest. All top leaders of the Telangana Congress are expected to attend the meeting.

Continuing his tirade against the BRS, he said: “Those who approached court and brought an injunction order have been particularly targeted.”

Citing examples, he said, “Siddapuram Mallaiah and Lakshmamma displaced by the project have had their lands kept in prohibited list and extent of land reduced from five acres to 18 kuntas. This is blackmail and intimidation of the worst type.”

“The displaced have been forced to run from pillar to post from MRO to RDO offices and the collector’s office for implementation of court orders. Bureaucrats should have empathy and hear the people,” he said.

Clarifying that the Congress was not averse to development projects, he said, “Officials should consider giving land for land instead of compensation. If the forest department can be given land when its land is acquired, why not farmers?”

Appealing to district collector Ravi Naik, Bhatti said, “The collector should take steps to do justice to the displaced in accordance with the law.”

Bhatti assailed the government for allegedly hoodwinking the public for 10 years by promising to provide irrigation facilities through the Palamur Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation project.

TPCC senior vice president Mallu Ravi said, “Had the government been sincere about Uddandapur project, it would have been completed long back. Congress was never opposed to Uddandapur or Palamur-Ranga Reddy projects and the party has been demanding early completion of these projects.”

MLA Lakshma Reddy, who promised to allot house sites to the Uddandpur and Vallur oustees under the R&R package next to the Jadcherla R&B guest house, said that the BRS did not keep its word and deceived the people. “If BRS leaders try to intimidate the displaced in police stations, then the Congress will lay siege to the police station,” he said.

Ravi said that 90 per cent of the work was completed on Koyil Sagar, Nettempadu, and Bhima Lift Irrigation Project works and the remaining work would be completed within a year of Congress forming the government.