Farmers refuse land for AP capital

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's dream of building a new capital city for the state in an year may not be that easy.

In a major blow to Chandrababu, revenue officials who met farmers to ask their lands for AP's new capital faced disappointment. According to reports, farmers of Undavalli and Penumaka made it clear to revenue officials on Tuesdays that they were not willing to part with their lands. They fumed over the government's decision to take away lands of poor farmers. Interestingly, the farmers suggested that they first snatch lands of the wealthy Kamma farmers.

Meanwhile, the Tulluru farmers in a meeting held at the village Panchayat office, laid down their own conditions to offer their lands for the new AP capital. It is learnt that they demanded a 50-50 ratio of land pooling. On the other hand, Guntur farmers too are against giving their fertile lands which yield 3 crops a year.

The AP Rytu Sangham at Mangalgiri are planning to hold a meeting on October 30 to discuss the issue. It now remains to be seen how far the revenue officials will be successful in convincing the other farmers.