Ex-MLA complains against illegal layouts

Ongole: Former MLA Amanchi Krishna Mohan has submitted a formal complaint to the Joint Collector of Prakasam District and the Vice-Chairperson of Ongole Urban Development Authority (OUDA), Kalpana Kumari, raising serious concerns about unauthorised land layouts spreading across Vetapalem mandal.

In his representation, the former MLA said that agricultural lands in Kothapeta, Akkayapalem, Epurupalem and Nayunipalli revenue villages are being converted into residential plots without proper approvals. The total extent of such unauthorised layouts is about 398.04 acres. He has also pointed out that 22 acres of land in Survey Number 408/1B of Kothapeta village falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). Development in CRZ areas requires special government clearances. These lands are reportedly being sold as house plots without any such permission.

The complaint is supported by encumbrance certificates which show that registered land transactions describe agricultural lands as house sites or plots. Physical photographs submitted along with the complaint show roads being formed and plots being developed across these lands.

Krishna Mohan cited the Andhra Pradesh Land Development (Layout and Sub-Division) Rules 2017 and the AP Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) Act 2006, saying no private person can sell agricultural land as building plots without proper layout approval. He has also noted that the government’s LRS-2025 amendment cannot be used as a reason to continue unauthorised layout activity.

The former MLA has requested the OUDA Vice-Chairperson to conduct a joint survey of all affected lands and has asked authorities to stop further transactions and issue notices to developers.

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The Hans India