The Hindu Business Line : AP to revise land oustees' payback

Given the spiralling realty prices and concerns expressed by oustees of land, the Andhra Pradesh Government is working towards a model that could provide the oustees compensation from the project. This could include additional percentage from the project for which the land was acquired.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, that the Government had embarked on urban projects such as Outer Ring Road, Express Highway and Elevated Corridor that could potentially involve an outlay of Rs 5,000 crore.

Land Auction

As a part of the Government policy, it was decided not to raise loans for such projects but to auction surplus lands. This is nothing new but based on a policy that has been in vogue from nearly a decade now.

Referring to recent auctions by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority, Dr Reddy said that the response for the auction has been phenomenal.

He rejected a judicial enquiry into land deals and defended the auctions. The Government has adopted a transparent approach for land auctions and it has received compliments from all the participants.

Compensating Oustees

As a part of the exercise to better reward the land oustees in case of projects such as the Outer Ring Road and the Musi development project, Dr Reddy said that the Government was evaluating other projects too.

Where land was claimed from people, and an appropriate model will be worked out.

In the case of the Musi project, it is proposed to acquire about 800 acres. Of this about 60 per cent would be set apart for development work, and of the 40 per cent left, about half of that will be set apart for the oustees. This will ensure that they do not get displaced.

Negating the criticism for some sections, including some oustees, who are demanding higher compensation package for their land, Dr Reddy said that both the auctions and the land acquisition are being taken up with utmost care and oustees are being compensated as per norms. In fact, from about Rs 2 lakh per acre, they have been given about Rs 16 lakh lately. If required, this would be revised.

GOD's OWN GOVT

Describing Andhra Pradesh as "God's Own Government," Dr Reddy said no other State in the country has set apart such huge budgets for irrigation and development work as Andhra Pradesh had done this year. While irrigation has been provided Rs 10,000 crore, Indiramma scheme has been provided Rs 8,500 crore.

INFOSYS ISSUE

On the issue relating to land allotment for the Infosys Technology campus, Dr Reddy said that the Government would provide all necessary land to ensure that their project comes up as planned.

Refuting concerns with regard to land allotment for Infosys was hit due to earlier land allotment to IMG project, Dr Reddy said that this would be sorted out.

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