Andhra Pradesh Initiates Inquiry into Potential Land Scam
The recently formed TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has launched a probe into what is being described as possibly the “biggest-ever land scam in the country since Independence.” Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has made allegations against his predecessor, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and his YSRCP party, claiming that they orchestrated a massive land grab through their “land freehold policy.”
Chief Minister’s Accusations
During the first Collectors’ conference on August 5, Chief Minister Naidu accused the previous government of initiating the “land freehold policy” with the sole intention of acquiring vast tracts of land for personal gain. This policy reportedly allowed the transfer of up to 9 lakh acres of government land to private individuals.
The Gravity of the Alleged Scam
According to RP Sisodia, the Special Chief Secretary for Revenue Land, Registration, and Stamps, the process of converting government lands to freehold status was applied to various categories of land. These included assigned lands, village service Inaam lands, ‘Sharathulugala Patta’ lands with specific restrictions, and dotted lands. Remarkably, out of all the land that has been allegedly converted to freehold, only 25,236 acres have been officially registered.
Sisodia further mentioned that there may be agreements or undisclosed “General Power of Attorneys” (GPAs) made outside the registration process. This revelation has increased concerns about the extent of the alleged fraud.
Investigation Measures
In response to the severity of the allegations, Special Chief Secretary Sisodia has directed the formation of district-level committees in six districts. These districts include Tirupati, Chittoor, Kadapa, Annamayya, Prakasam, and Sri Sathya Sai. At the helm of each committee will be the Special Deputy Collector, assisted by the assistant registrar, tahsildar, and mandal surveyor.
The primary tasks of these committees will be to reassess the lands converted to freehold status, investigate any gift or sale transactions involving these lands, and scrutinize the backgrounds of both the assigned beneficiaries and purchasers of these lands. By delving into the details of these transactions, the committees hope to uncover any fraudulent acts, such as undervalued deals and corrupt arrangements.
Progress and Conclusion
The initiation of this inquiry into what is considered one of the most significant land scams in India’s post-Independence history demonstrates the commitment of the newly formed TDP-led NDA government to combat corruption and ensure justice for the people of Andhra Pradesh. With the establishment of the district-level committees, which will rigorously investigate the alleged fraudulent transactions, it is clear that this government prioritizes transparency and accountability.
As the investigation progresses, the people of Andhra Pradesh eagerly await the uncovering of the truth behind this potential land scam and look forward to the prosecution of any guilty parties involved.
