Kamareddy: While farmers in seven villages in Kamareddy have been agitating over the draft master plan of the industrial zone, fearing that the Telangana government will take over their fertile farmland, Kamareddy MLA Gampa Govardhan and the government whip attempted to allay the farmers' fears, stating that the plan will be changed after taking suggestions and objections raised by the farmers into account.
In an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, Govardhan claimed that
political opponents “provoked” and “misled” farmers about the new master
plan.
Farmers have been protesting the proposed new master plan for a little more
than a month, fearing that the government will acquire their lands for industrial use. What assurances can you provide to reassure farmers?
The draft of the master plan is currently available for public opinon. The authorities are accepting suggestions and objections until January 11th.
Kamareddy town has National Highway 44 to the east and a new bypass to the
west. Nizamsagar Road witnesses’ tremendous traffic, necessitating the construction of a six-lane route and a bypass road. Keeping in mind the water tanks on the outskirts of town, we proposed a bypass road with adequate care. The master plan was abruptly revised by authorities from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and a Delhi-based consultant.
Will the government initiate any action against the DTCP officials for redesigning the draft master plan?
We brought the issue to the attention of minister of municipal and urban
development K.T.Rama Rao. The minister has already directed that the farmers
be treated fairly. We hope that DTCP officials will pay the price for their
"mistakes" in the master plan, which sparked outrage among farmers.
You claim that the draft master plan differs from what the Kamareddy municipal council adopted at the meeting. Why didn't you point up these errors right away?
We anticipated objections from the farmers over the draft master plan. However, a few politicians misled the farmers with selfish political motives. If an issue emerges, victims should contact us for resolution. Some politicians are unconcerned about farmers, but are only interested in instigating them.
Do you believe that protest against the master plan would harm your political prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections?
Absolutely not. I have served as the Kamareddy MLA since 1994. I have my
roots in Kamareddy, and for that matter I do not even own a house in Hyderabad. The people in my constituency know me well. The conspiracies being hatched by some politicians will not work.
