Lokesh Wants Officials to Save Lands Snatched by YSRC Leaders

Vijayawada: Education minister Nara Lokesh has directed officials to clear the lands occupied by YSRC leaders. His directive came in response to complaints received in this regard from several persons, who submitted their grievances to Lokesh as part of his Praja Darbar on Saturday.

Though Lokesh had announced that the Praja Darbar is for people from Mangalagiri Assembly constituency that he represents, people from across the state are arriving in large numbers to attend his programme and bring their issues to his notice.

People started gathering at the minister’s residence from early in the morning itself. As there are no curbs imposed near his residence, there is a huge response to his Praja Darbar. Seeing this, ruling TD MLAs are planning to also hold similar programmes in their respective Assembly constituencies.

On Saturday, several people from various parts of the state sought Lokesh’s intervention in saving their lands, which had been forcibly occupied by local YSRC leaders when the party had been in power.

Ala Sambasiva Rao of Errabalem in Mangalagiri mandal informed the minister that his 16.5 cents of land had been grabbed by a YSRC leader Chavali Ullaiah. He appealed to Lokesh that he take steps to get the land back to him.

Kurava Mardiah, an old man from Loddipalli of Orvakal mandal in Kurnool district, told the minister that his land, which is the main source of income for his entire family, has been forcibly occupied by Pittam Naga Sudhakar Reddy and Parigi Madhavi with the support of local YSRC leaders. Mardiah underlined that he is in dire straits and requested Lokesh to take steps that enable him to get back his land. He maintained that he has no money to fight a legal battle.

Mardiah complained that his repeated appeals to local police have gone in vain. He thus wanted the minister to intervene.

Lokesh then directed officials to take immediate measures and ensure that lands grabbed illegally by local leaders are handed over back to the original owners.

Residents of Vaddeswaram, Undavalli, Tadepalli and Kunchanapalli submitted a memorandum to the minister seeking removal of encroachments near the residence of YSRC chief and opposition leader Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Goli Venkata Bhavana Rushi of Tadepalli appealed to Lokesh to extend financial assistance to his daughter under the Kalyanamasthu scheme.