Land acquisition for any project is a major hurdle, especially if the interests of farmers are involved, but the Andhra Pradesh Government seems to have done it with a fair degree of ease for the establishment of Amaravati, the new capital.
More than 30,000 acres of land has been acquired through the land pooling system by persuading the farmers, but farmers possessing 2,500 acres are refusing to part with their lands and the Government is faced with a problem.
It remains to be seen whether the State Government will invoke the provisions of the law for forcible acquisition of those lands.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said all efforts would be made to persuade the farmers but, if they refuse to yield, alternatives may have to be sought. He said the issue was being politicised and the farmers were being misled.
Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana said a decision would be taken on the issue after August 20. "The overwhelming majority of farmers have agreed to part with their lands, and only a few have refused to give up their lands. They are also being led astray by certain political parties. It is not proper to politicise the issue. The State needs a capital," he said.
Visakhapatnam Member of Parliament and State BJP leader K. Haribabau said his party would support whatever steps the Government takes to acquire lands for capital construction.
There is, however, opposition from film star and President of the Jana Sena Party, Pawan Kalyan, who says that lands should not be forcibly acquired from unwilling farmers. He is an ally of the TDP.