Non-governmental organisations working in the farm sector have strongly opposed the ‘Capital-centric’ development model being proposed by the Andhra Pradesh Government. Focussing heavily on the Capital to make it an investment destination would lead to neglect of other regions.
They have alleged that the Government is looking at a real-estate project, adversely impacting the livelihoods of lakhs of labourers and those depend on traditional occupations.
The AP Capital Region Development Authority Bill was introduced in the Assembly on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Rythu Swarajya Vedika leader Vissa Kiran Kumar said that this issue was not about the land but the capital-centric development model.
“They are planning to lift water from the river Godavari for the drinking water requirements of the new Capital. Besides devouring the fertile lands in Krishna and Guntur districts, the Government is planning to harm the interests of the farmers in the East and West Godavari districts,” he said.
The new Capital region would severely impact agriculture, environment and livelihoods of lakhs of people in an extent of 200 square kilometres in the proposed Capital region.
Demanding revamp of the proposed bill to take care of the interests of the landless, he wanted all the provisions of this Bill should be limited only to ‘Capital City’ area and the proposal for ‘Capital Region’ should be dropped at this point of time in line with the recommendations of Shivaramakrishnan Committee.
Land pooling
Ramanjaneyulu of Centre for Sustainable Agriculture felt that land pooling or acquisition or purchase of land by the CRDA should be limited only to ‘Core Capital area’ within the ‘Capital city’ area in the first phase.
“Provisions should be made in the bill for mandatory socio-economic and environmental assessment before final notification of the land pooling,” he said.
He also pointed out that it is mandatory to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for large scale urbanisation, diversion of agricultural land and huge constructions near the river course as per the Environmental Laws.