The Andhra Pradesh Government has taken a policy decision to allot 20 sq. yds. of land free of cost for poor families living on encroached lands and regularise their dwellings.
Announcing this after the State Cabinet meeting held here on Wednesday, Information and Public Relations Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said that poor families who have constructed houses on Government land in Arilova and Bhanoji Nagar in Visakhapatnam would be allotted 20 sq. yds. each and according to the policy decision taken on the day, this would apply to all unobjectionable encroachments on Government lands all over the State.
“The Cabinet has taken this decision to help lakhs of poor people in the State. Similarly, it was decided to regularise assigned lands or Government lands, vacant lands or temple lands. However, Government lands will be protected, and those who indulging in grabbing Government lands will be severely dealt with,” he warned.
Also, it was decided to remove encroachments on Wakf lands and the Government would take them back, he said, adding that a GO No. 80 was released for the purpose.
Revenue Department to be streamlined
The minister also said that the Cabinet decided to streamline the Revenue wing and simplify the issue of pattadar passbooks and expedite their issue. “Of late, fake pattadar passbooks have surfaced. We have to help the real beneficiaries. At present, they have to fill 66 forms or so. Hereafter they will be spared the ordeal,” he explained. Mr. Raghunatha Reddy also said a thorough inquiry would be held into the fake pattadar passbooks issue and Government would be strict in dealing with such issues by taking appropriate steps to prevent their recurrence.
Vizag land to be taken back
He also announced that 13 acres of land in Visakhapatnam bought in auction by Devona Infrastructure Ltd. at the rate of Rs. seven per acre, would also be taken back since the company failed to take up its project in violation of the Government conditions. It was decided to allot the 13 acres to other companies and repay the cost of the land with reasonable interest to the company, he added. (INN)