AP not to invoke LA without initiating relief measures

The Andhra Pradesh State government has assured the High Court at Hyderabad that it will not in future issue declaration under 2013 Land Acquisition Act without completing the requirements of rehabilitation and resettlement of all affected families like farmworkers dependent on land.

The division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice T Rajani recorded this undertaking given by the Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas on Monday. The bench was hearing a public interest litigation petition moved by V Venkateswarlu of A.P. Agricultural Workers Union.

Even while recording the undertaking, the bench directed the AG to file a detailed affidavit mentioning how many notifications were issued in the State of Andhra Pradesh under 2013 Act since January 1, 2014, the steps taken for providing R&R to affected families, etc. The AG sought two weeks time to furnish the details and the bench accordingly adjourned the matter by two weeks.