Intellectuals, educationists oppose shifting of Collectorate

Khammam: While the government is firm on shifting the Collectorate to V Venkatayapalem, the intellectuals and educationists are opposing the government’s move. Dr Sheelam Papa Rao said the decision of shifting Collectorate was not only anti-people but also against the environment.

“The government appears to hate open places. It is coming up with several proposals to turn lung spaces into concrete jungles. The move seems to benefit some persons possessing large tracts of lands at the proposed site near V Venkatayapalem,” he alleged, adding that the government was not only causing inconvenience to people, but also not clear on its plan to utilise the prime property after the Collectorate was shifted.

Terming it as an unwarranted move, Rajashekar, a degree college lecturer, questioned the need to shift the Collectorate to Venkatayapalem by purchasing the lands by investing crores of public money.

“The government had decided to build a new Integrated Administrative Complex with all the prime government offices at one place. This is a clear case of conflict of interest. The shifting obviously serves the interests of certain people related to ruling TRS party. Opinion from all corners must be taken into consideration and a broad consensus must be evolved,” he added.

Echoing similar view, Sambashiva Rao, a Rythu Sangham leader said, “We support the construction of Collectorate Complex. But not at the cost of the acquiring farmer’s lands. The area, the government is planning to shift the Collectorate, is located in an area where there is the danger of miscreants causing problems to farmers.”As many as 60,000 people in the district are living without shelter. Instead of thinking about them, the government was keen on shifting the Collectorate by investing crores of public money, he added.

“In the name of Vaastu, the government is unnecessarily spending Rs 30 crore on purchasing the land and about Rs 50 crore for construction of new Collectorate complex. The existing Collectorate has more than sufficient space. The government must utilise the available space for the construction of other offices and transform it into an administrative complex,” opined Nagaraju, a student union leader.

Opposing the move, former president of BAR Association B Thirumal Rao said the move would only benefit some realtors and cause severe inconvenience to people, particularly those coming from rural areas. “The ruling TRS party owes an explanation to people on the rationale behind shifting of Collectorate. The government cannot go against peoples’ wishes,” he said.

By: Puli Sharath Kumar