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Amaravati farmers file contempt case against govt

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Amaravati farmers file contempt case against govt

The farmers of Amaravati villages have filed contempt of court case in Andhra Pradesh High Court on Saturday. They alleged that the government officials have not implemented the high court direction to develop Amaravati as capital.

The high court on March 3, 2022 directed the State government to develop Amaravati as the capital city. It had set three months’ time for the government to develop layouts to be given to the farmers. The court wanted the government to develop the layouts with all the required infrastructure and hand over the developed plots to the farmers who have given their lands for the capital.

The court also directed the state government to provide infrastructure like water, roads, drains in the entire Amaravati area notified by the previous government. The court gave six months’ time to the government to develop the capital city.

Though the government asked the farmers to get their plots registered, not many of them have come forward and registered the plots, as the area was not developed as promised by the previous TDP government.

Following this, Done Samba Siva Rao from Yerrubalem village and Tati Srinivasa Rao from Inavolu village have filed the contempt case. They have also named chief secretary Dr Sameer Sharma, special chief secretary K S Jawahar Reddy, Legislature secretary P Balakrishnamacharyulu, former law secretary V Sunitha, chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, former minister for Municipal Administration Botsa Satyanarayana, Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath in the case.

They alleged that these officials and the ministers have intestinally ignored the court orders. They have also requested the court to dismiss the affidavit filed by chief secretary Sameer Sarma seeking 60 months’ time to develop Amaravati.

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It’s going to be “Build Amaravati” movement from now

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It’s going to be “Build Amaravati” movement from now

The Amaravati farmers and those who have been supporting them in the agitation have changed their slogan on Saturday.

The agitation has been on for more than 800 days with a slogan on “Save Amaravati”. They launched the agitation in January 2020 following chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy introducing three capital bills.

They have been asking the government to continue Amaravati as the only capital of the state and oppose any move to shift any wing of the capital from Amaravati.

With the high court supporting the movement and issuing directions to the government to complete the capital city construction in six months, the farmers have named the movement as Build Amaravati.

Though the high court had directed the government to build the capital, there are no signs of the government going forward in this direction. The government has not made any allocation of funds for Amaravati in the budget, nor it appears to be willing to develop Amaravati.

In this backdrop, the Joint Action Committee of Amaravati re-designed the movement to mount pressure on the government to start “Building Amaravati”, the only capital of the state. The JAC leaders on Saturday announced that they would tour every part of the state and mobilise support for their agitation.

Though they claim that they have support for Amaravati even in North Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, mostly with the backing of the TDP, it is to be seen how the organisations that have been supporting the government on decentralisation would react to these plans.

There are organisations demanding their due share of the capital in Rayalaseeema, particularly asking for a high court. It is a big question if these organisations would remain silent if the farmers spread the agitation to their region.

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Barring YSRCP, all Andhra parties show solidarity with Amaravati farmers

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Barring YSRCP, all Andhra parties show solidarity with Amaravati farmers

Leaders of all parties, barring Andhra Pradesh’s ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), came on a common platform to declare their support to Amaravati farmers whose agitation against the move for trifurcation of state capital completed two years on Friday.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, CPI leader K. Narayana, YSRCP’s rebel MP Raghurama Krishnam Raju and leaders of Congress, Jana Sena, BJP and other parties shared the platform at a public meeting organised by Amaravati farmers in the temple town.

Large number of people participated in the meeting to show solidarity with the farmers while the leaders of all the opposition parties assured to stand by them.

The public meeting, which marked the culmination of Amaravati to Tirupati ‘Mahapadyatra’ by Amaravati farmers and women, also coincided with the completion of two years since the announcement by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to develop three state capitals.

Demanding that Amaravati be developed as the only state capital as decided by the previous TDP government, farmers and women undertook the foot march, which concluded at Tirupati on December 14.

As the district administration of Chittoor denied permission to farmers to hold the public meeting, the farmers moved the High Court, which gave conditional permission for the meeting.

Setting aside their differences, leaders of various parties and groups came on the common platform to assure Amaravati farmers that they will continue to back their agitation. They said the state’s future will be bright only if Amaravati is developed as the only state capital. They made it clear that nobody can shift the state capital from Amaravati and that the sacrifices of farmers will not go in vain.

Some farmers broke down while addressing the public meeting. They said they gave their lands for development of the state capital but the YSRCP government threw them on the streets by deciding to develop three state capitals.

Chandrababu Naidu, who had prepared the vision of Amaravati as a world-class city, slammed Jagan Mohan Reddy for what he called destroying the future of the state and its people.

He wondered how the state capital can be shifted when the foundation was laid by the Prime Minister and the Centre also gave Rs 2,500 crore for capital works and also extended certain exemptions to farmers, who had given 33,000 acres of land.

Alleging that the YSRCP government gave a caste colour to the state capital, he said Jagan Mohan Reddy has no vision. He urged the Chief Minister to stop the false propaganda against Amaravati.

Naidu claimed that Amaravati lands can help the state mobilise financial resources. “Don’t spend even a rupee in Amaravati but don’t destroy this economic asset for the future of the state and its people,” he told Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Stating that Amaravati is the most suitable location for the state capital, the TDP chief said while all regions should develop, the state capital should remain in Amaravati. He exuded confidence that ultimately Amaravati will emerge victorious in this battle for justice.

Jana Sena leader Ramdas Chowdary told the public meeting that party founder and actor Pawan Kalyan has sent a message to the meeting that Amaravati will remain as the state capital.

Actor Shivaji slammed the YSRCP government for its blunders. He pointed out that except leaders of YSRCP, all have come on the common platform.

Congress leaders Tulsi Reddy and Mastan Vali, BJP leader Kanna Lakshminarayana and others addressed the meeting and expressed their full support to the movement by Amaravati farmers.

CPI-M leader P. Madhu stayed away from public meeting saying he can’t share the dais with BJP leaders. He, however, said his party would continue its support to the just cause of Amaravati farmers.

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Farmers begin “Nyayasthanam to Devasthanam” yatra on Amaravati issue

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Farmers begin “Nyayasthanam to Devasthanam” yatra on Amaravati issue

The much-touted Amaravati farmers yatra from Tulluru to Tirupati is off to a flamboyant start with a large number of people turning up to see off the farmers. The yatra, titled Nyayasthanam nunchi Devasthanam Maha Pada Yatra, will be for a period of 45 days and would cover four districts – Guntur, Prakasam, Kurnool and Chittoor.

There would be village-level meetings and seminars all along the route. The farmers will create awareness about the yatra among the general public. The yatra would cover 70 major villages in four districts. The farmers would make a night-stay at appointed places. Before the launch of the yatra, the farmers offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara and the Goddess of Justice. They also performed all-religion padayatra. A large number of women and political leaders of various hues and shades were present.

The yatra is aimed at opposing the government’s move to have three capitals for Andhra Pradesh. It wants only Amaravati to be the capital of Andhra Pradesh. CPI leader Ramakrishna, Congress leader form Telangana Renuka Chowdary, TDP and Jana Sena leaders have extended their support to the yatra.

Initially, AP DGP Gowtham Sawang did not give permission to the yatra. However, the farmers approached the AP High Court, which gave them permission to take out a yatra. Later, the AP GDP gave them permission to take out the yatra. However, 157 persons were permitted to be part of the yatra. Similarly, no public meeting would be allowed during the yatra. The yatris were also told not to change the route map without the permission of the police and were directed not to indulge in violence and arson.

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Amaravati farmers plan 45-day-long padayatra against 3-capital policy

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Amaravati farmers plan 45-day-long padayatra against 3-capital policy

The Amaravati farmers, who have been agitating for over 500 days, are all set to launch a Padayatra to highlight their plight. The farmers are demanding that the Jagan government’s decision to shift the capital out of Amaravati be rescinded. They are opposing the move to set up the executive capital in Visakhapatnam and the judicial capital in Kurnool in Rayalaseema.

The Padayatra will begin from Tullur, a prominent village in the Amaravati area on November 1. The yatra would be held for 45 days and would end at Tirupati by the Sankranthi festival. The yatra would cover over 400 kilo meters. Politicians, farmers, farm labourers, civil society leaders and others would undertake the padayatra to Tirupati. The Amaravati JAC, which will organize the yatra, is working out the nitty gritty.

The yatra is being planned to breathe life into the agitation and highlight the problems of the farmers of the region. As part of the padayatra, awareness meetings would be held and round tables would be organied at different places. The protesters will expose the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government and its decisions. While a yatra may not be able to settle the issue, but it will surely highlight the problems of the farmers, a leader of the Amaravati Joint action committee said.

The yatra assumes significance in the wake of the recent panchayal, MPTC and ZPTC elections, where the YSRCP has routed the TDP. In all the Amaravati villages, the YSRCP has won handsomely. Since then the government has been claiming that the people at large were with the government’s three-capitals policy. To prove this wrong, the padayatra is being planned to cover a large part of the state, the organizers said.

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Botsa flares up Amaravathi issue again!

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Botsa flares up Amaravathi issue again!

Andhra Pradesh municipal administration minister Botsa Satyanarayana has stirred up fresh controversy with his provoking comments on Amaravathi capital issue again.

Botsa on Saturday (today) ruled out any possibility of YSRCP government holding talks with Amaravathi farmers who are agitating for the cause of Amaravathi capital for over 600 days. He said there is nothing to discuss with Amaravathi farmers.

Botsa categorically stated that YSRCP government will not go back on shifting executive capital from Amaravathi to Visakhapatnam.

Botsa also made it clear that YSRCP government will set up three capitals for AP come what may as decided earlier.

He said Amaravathi will only remain as Legislative capital of AP and there is no change in this decision by the AP government.

Botsa reiterated his controversial comments on Amaravathi capital saying why AP’s future and development should be confined only to 20 villages in Amaravathi capital region.

Botsa’s remarks triggered sharp protests from farmers in Amaravathi capital region, who have given up their lands for the future of AP.

They burnt the effigies of Botsa and demanded him to take back his remarks on Amaravathi unconditionally.

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“Thieves” “stealing” away Amaravati roads?

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“Thieves” “stealing” away Amaravati roads?

Thieves are on prowl in the capital Amaravati. They are not filching valuables and nor are they resorting to house-breaks. They are simply “stealing” the roads. Yes. Sounds strange, but true. In Amaravati, unidentified miscreants are using earth movers and under heavy duty equipment to damage the laid out concrete roads and take away the concrete pellets and other material.

Several videos of JCB earthmovers damaging the roads and taking away the granite chips have surfaced in villages like Uddandarayuni Palem, which falls into the Amaravati capital area. In one video, miscreants are seen taking away a JCB on a truck after the locals objected to it. It is clear that this cannot happen without the active support of powerful people. The local TDP has accused the YSRCP of damaging the roads and taking away the concrete chips.

There are also instances where the concrete chips, cement and sand kept on the sides of the road for the construction of roads were stolen. Some miscreants are landing up at the storage sites and are loading the material into the trucks. They are scooting away before the police arrived on the scene. While the TDP has blamed the ruling YSRCP for the “theft”, the YSRCP is blaming the TDP for this. The police seem to look the other way while the roads get damaged during the nights. Sources say that the police are afraid of taking action as people at high places are involved in these thefts.

In some places, the locals have formed night-watch groups and are found objecting to the damage of the roads. There are instances where the miscreants fled from the spot after the locals obstructed them. Despite such damage to public property, there is total silence from the ruling party.

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Blow to Jagan govt: SC strikes down Amaravathi insider trading petition!

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Blow to Jagan govt: SC strikes down Amaravathi insider trading petition!

The YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh headed by Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy received a jolt in the Supreme Court on Monday in a case pertaining to insider trading in purchase of lands by some individuals in Amaravathi capital region and also in acquiring lands for the capital region at Amaravati during previous TDP regime between 2014 and 2019.

The Supreme Court on Monday has struck down the AP government’s petition on Amaravathi insider trading.

The AP High Court on January 20, 2021, struck down the cases registered by the AP Crime Investigation Department (CID) alleging insider trading in purchase of lands by some people in Amaravati.

However, the Jagan government filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court on June 29 challenging the AP High Court judgement delivered on January 20 stating that there was no insider trading in Amaravati.

A division bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Vineeth Saran and Justice Dinesh Meheshwari heard this petition.

The bench struck down the petition on Monday stating that AP High Court has struck down the petition after taking into consideration all the issues.

The CID had registered the cases against several individuals, including Kilaru Rajesh, a close aide of TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh, and Northface Holdings Private Limited director Tottempudi Venkateswara Rao, based on a complaint filed by N Suresh of Velagapudi, alleging insider trading.

It was alleged that some people with the prior knowledge of the location of the State capital, purchased lands at cheaper rates in Amaravati.

The high court had earlier stated that the lands purchased by the petitioners got valid registration documents. Purchase of lands with proper registration cannot be considered as a crime under Section 420 of IPC. No police investigation had concluded that the petitioners committed a crime. There were reports in the media about the location of State capital even before former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was sworn in on June 9, 2014 and it could not be said that the petitioners purchased the lands concealing the facts, the high court observed.

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Jagan govt begins demolition of Iconic Bridge in Amaravathi!

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Jagan govt begins demolition of Iconic Bridge in Amaravathi!

The YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh led by Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy seems to be on a mission to finish off Amaravathi capital city as early as possible so as to shift the capital to Vizag.

The Jagan government has now started demolition of Iconic Bridge in Amaravathi that was initiated by previous TDP government led by then CM N Chandrababu Naidu to provide connectivity between Vijayawada and Amaravathi.

Naidu had on January 12, 2019 laid the foundation stone for the ‘Kuchipudi iconic bridge’. With a 170-metre-tall pylon, it was one of the many “iconic” structures planned by Naidu, who wanted to develop Amaravati as a world-class city.

The 3.2-km long six-lane bridge was intended to connect Amaravati with Vijayawada-Hyderabad national highway at a cost of Rs 1,387 crore. The contract was bagged by L&T. The company had constructed platforms to construct the bridge.

However, after Jagan became CM in May 2019, he stopped all works in Amaravathi capital region. With this, the bridge works came to a halt.

But in August 2019, Jagan took a decision to scale down the project terming it as very expensive and said this would be built in a simple manner with Rs 400 crore and not as cable bridge planned across Krishna river earlier.

However, officials have now started demolishing the entire platforms giving indications that the Jagan government wants to completely scrap this project.

The AP government officials have deployed Proclainers to demolish the platforms that were set up earlier for the construction of Iconic Bridge. The demolition works are going on for the past two days.

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MP Navneet Kaur extends support to Amaravathi farmers!

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MP Navneet Kaur extends support to Amaravathi farmers!

Lok Sabha member and former Tollywood actress Navneet Kaur on Wednesday declared her support to Amaravathi farmers who are waging a relentless battle against YS Jagan government in Andhra Pradesh for nearly 550 days now demanding to continue Amaravathi as the only capital of AP and drop his decision of creating three capitals for AP.

Speaking to a news channel, Kaur said she will visit Amaravathi soon to meet agitating farmers and express solidarity with their movement for capital city.

She said that Amaravathi farmers sacrificed their valuable lands for the cause of Andhra Pradesh but the present government is killing Amaravathi capital for political reasons.

Kaur said everyone knows very well why the present government is toying with the idea of creating three capitals for Andhra Pradesh.

Kaur was elected as MP from Amravati Lok Sabha constituency in Maharshtra as an Independent candidate in 2019 Lok Sabha polls with the support of Congress and NCP.

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Amaravathi stir at 500 days: JAC big virtual rally on April 30

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Amaravathi stir at 500 days: JAC big virtual rally on April 30

The agitation by Amaravathi Joint Action Committee (Amaravathi JAC) will complete 500 days on April 30.

The JAC activists sustained the agitation for 500 days braving the YSRCP government’s and police high-handedness, demanding the Jagan government to retain Amaravathi as the only capital city of Andhra Pradesh and drop its plans of creating three capitals for AP.

The JAC is making arrangements to hold a mega rally on April 30 to mark the completion of 500 days of Amaravathi agitation.

However, in the present severe corona conditions and Covid restrictions, the JAC planning to hold a mega rally in the virtual mode with the participation of 1 lakh people.

JAC activists and people will sit on protest at their respective places across the state in deeksha camps where big size LED screens are being set up.

The JAC is inviting national leaders of various political parties, national level social activists, legal experts, caste organisations, representatives of trade and commerce.

The JAC want to bring Amaravathi issue to the notice of Centre and state governments by making this programme a huge success.

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Now, YCP calls Amaravati a ‘benami Capital’ of Naidu

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Now, YCP calls Amaravati a ‘benami Capital’ of Naidu

Till yesterday, Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, his Ministers and his party MPs just levelled allegations of benami land dealings against Chandrababu Naidu in Amaravati Capital City. The Government had also filed ‘insider trading’ cases against the TDP leaders. Now, the YCP Ministers were going a step forward by calling the entire Amaravati region as a ‘benami Capital’ of Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh.

YCP MP Nandigam Suresh, who is known for his controversial statements, said that Chandrababu Naidu had looted lands in Amaravati area by threatening the local farmers. The MP blamed Naidu for creating hurdles by going to the court against house site distribution in the Capital area.

Mr. Suresh demanded the TDP chief to explain why his party was obstructing house sites if he was indeed a champion of the poor families. If Chandrababu Naidu really had any love for the poor people, he should order his partymen to withdraw the petitions filed against the house sites.

The MP said that Naidu and Lokesh were cultureless as they were comparing the poor man’s house to the toilets and bathrooms.

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“Full-size capital will be ready in 10 yrs “

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“Full-size capital will be ready in 10 yrs “

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is hopeful that construction of the new capital in its entirety will be completed in 10 years. Naidu said he had no doubt about success of the new capital. “People of this region are endowed with remarkable creativity and entrepreneurial skills. The plan is to complete the project in 20 years. But, with the support your are extending I am hopeful that it will be carried out in a next in 10 years,” he said participating in the inaugural of ‘Capital Cinemas’, a seven-screen multiplex in Trendset Mall near Benz Circle, Vijayawaada.

Stating that creating entertainment avenues was as important as providing employment to local people, the chief minister said besides modern cinema theatres, Vijayawada would also house five and six-star hotels. Union Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu said a capital does not mean only concrete buildings, good roads, Secretariat, Assembly or bungalows of the Chief Minister, Governor and Ministers; It should have life. “Life means education, entertainment, academic activity, employment and enhanced medical facilities,” he said. The union minister said Vijayawada city had always been a hub of literature and the nerve centre of political activity.

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CM launches ” My Amaravati, My Brick”

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CM launches ” My Amaravati, My Brick”

Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu today inaugurated the ‘payment gateway’ for the Amaravti capital city. Chief minister Naidu, whose plan to is make capital building a participatory project, has designed the ” Amaravati Brick’. He wants every Telugu man to become a partner in the construction of Amaravati by donating at least a brick or the money worth the brick. Those who want to donate a brick can donate the money worth the brick online through the payment gateway. In a review meeting held with Amaravati foundation laying ceremony management committee, the chief minister inaugurated the Amaravati Brick and payment gateway today. He named the program as ” My Amaravati, My Brick”.

In the system, donors can buy a brick by paying Rs 10 and get their name registered on it. The names of the brick donors will remain permanently in the data base of CRDA. All the donors will receive a receipt from the chief minister with his signature. The details are available at http://amaravati.gov.in/.

The campaign received tremendous response. According chief minister’s office, Srinivas Valluri purchased 108 bricks while the inauguration program was still going on. Similarly, CRDA employees purchased 108 bricks each and remitted a day’s salary Rs 5,22,000 towards price of the bricks.

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Jagan will be invited for Amaravati foundation laying ceremony: Babu

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Jagan will be invited for Amaravati foundation laying ceremony: Babu

We all know that the Andhra Pradesh government have already decided to send invitations of Amaravati foundation laying ceremony to the chief ministers of all the states. However, the CM personally inviting few of his counterparts. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu visited New Delhi on Wednesday for a day’s tour.

Speaking to media persons, Babu confirmed that the state government wold invite Telangana CM KCR, YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy and Congress president Sonia Gandhi because we want everyone’s blessings as it is a new capital. However, sources say that Babu will personally invite KCR whereas government representatives will be sent to invite Jaganmohan Reddy.

During the day, he met Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and invited him to the ceremony. Reacting to his invitation, the AAP leader confirmed that he would definitely try to make it to the event. Babu who is also the chairman of NITI Aayog’s sub-committee of chief ministers on Swachh Bharat had submitted their report to Prime minister Narendra Modi. Later he present the PM with the invitation of Amaravati foundation laying ceremony. It is to be mentioned that PM’s visit to this historical event on October 22 was already confirmed.

Later in the evening, he met Union minister like Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh and few others to personally invite them to the capital ceremony. The celebrations for the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, have already began on October 13 and wil continue till October 22.

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Green Tribunal Order on Amaravati Lands

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Green Tribunal Order on Amaravati Lands

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This is how all roads lead to Amaravati

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This is how all roads lead to Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu today finalized the program for ” People’s capital and Amaravati Construction resolve” . The program, meant to create Amaravati euphoria in Andhra Pradesh begins from Tuesday with celebration of “Our Soil, Our Water and Our Amaravati”. The program will go on till 15.10.2015.

  • 13th, 14th and 15th October – Collect Matti (soil) in cloth bags    and clean water in copper kalasams village wise/ Municipal ward wise and keep in GP/Municipal ward Office.

During the period specimen soil and water will be collected from the anthills and local streams or wells, whichever the local people believe as sacred ,in Kalasham (ritual urn). All these will paraded around the city or town or village amid all-religion prayers. The message is get local people’s blessings to the capital project.

On October 17, all these kalashalu containing specimen soil and water will shifted to constituency centres. All-religion prayers will be conducted once again. On October 18, designated people will carry the sacred soil and water to capital Amaravati.

*October 17: Soil bags and Kalasams to be taken in colourful processions so as to reach Assembly constituency headquarter towns in a convoy.

*October 18:Start for Amaravati,  with a banner Mana Rajadhani Amaravati –Mana Matti – Mana Neeru

 

All vehicles from all constituency Headquarters  will join at District Headquarters or at District  border and move together on  October 18 or 19  morning (as per the distance) and reach Nagarjuna University  in a convoy by 5 PM on  October 19.

 

On October 20 and October 21, prayers will be performed for these Kalashalu and later all these sacred urns will be shifted to the exact place where Prime Minister Narendramodi is going to lay the foundation stone. In the meantime, in Krishna Guntur districts, an Amaravati Resolve torch rally will be organized. The CM flag will off the convoy to Amaravati. Government is going to designate officials to oversee all the rituals in villages, towns and constituencies across the state. The entire program will be videographed and preserved for posterity.

  • On October 21, the soil and water is mixed with holy waters from all major rivers of India and kept at a place to be used during Foundation Laying Ceremony and also later for the construction of various public buildings in Amaravati.

 

On October 18, in Municipal towns and major gram panchayats 2K run and 5K run will be organized to express solidarity to the construction of Amravati capital construction project. Similarly torch rallies will be conducted in every village. Every Village will send a Sankalpa Patram along with water and soil to Amaravati. About 160 temples, 50 churches and 50 masjids have been identified to perform special pujas to propitiate gods to ward off the evil spirits coming in the way of construction of Amaravati.

Three highways have been identified in the state to carrying the soil -water urns to the capital city. The cavalcades carrying the sacred kalasham will ultimately join these highway and march towards Amaravati. It should be planned in such a way that every vehicle carrying the kalasham reached the capital city by October 19.

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Former Chandigarh administrator cautions PM on Amaravati

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Former Chandigarh administrator cautions PM on Amaravati

[intro]Retired IAS and former Administrator of Chandigarh MG Devasahayam also sent an email to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office to caution the PM that his visit to Amravati would be amounting to an act against the thousands of small and marginal farmers, whose livelihood is being trampled upon by the capital project. Dr Devasahayam headed a fact finding committee set up by National Alliance for People’s Movements to study the suitability of the Amaravati area to build a capital city. He says capital city is going to be a Real Estate El dorado of Andrha Pradesh. Following is the edited version of the letter.[/intro]

Dear Mr Misra,

Having led the National Alliance of People’s Movement appointed Fact Finding Mission I have gone into the various aspects of the Andhra Pradesh Capital-City project coming up in Amravati and have fair amount of Information on this. Besides, having been associated with the Chandigarh Capital Project as the Deputy Commissioner cum Estate Officer of the City and Union Territory, I have fair knowledge as to how capital-cities are planned, funded and developed.

The AP state capital in Amravati on which work is proceeding at breakneck speed is in total violation of constitutional provisions, AP Reorganisation Act, Land Acquisition Act-2013 and Environmental Protection Act and Rules made thereunder. Though Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) is the project-proponent in paper, and Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) the project-patron, the project is actually being driven by powerful and moneyed Real Estate operators from Singapore, Hyderabad, AP and Delhi. This project is extremely detrimental to Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural systems, India’s food security and environmental sustainability.

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A brief recap. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 was enacted by Parliament as per provisions of Article 2, 3 and 4 of the Constitution of India. Under Section 6 of said Act the Central Govt. constituted a Committee headed by late K.C. Sivaramakrishnan, to study various alternatives regarding the New Capital for the successor State of Andhra Pradesh and make appropriate recommendation. ToR for the said Committee inter alia includes following:-

· Least possible dislocation to existing agriculture systems as well as ensure minimum resettlement of people and their habitations.
· Preservation of local ecology and natural features including water bodies.
· Vulnerability assessment from natural disasters like floods, cyclones and earthquakes.
· Assess the scope for minimising the cost of construction and acquisition of land.

Committee did not favor a green-field capital-city for AP at this stage and opined that if the GoAP wants to pursue this option, it has to carry out a careful search for locations where suitably large parcels of government land may be available. Committee after considering all the aspects, found the Vijayavada – Guntur – Tenali – Mangalegiri (VGTM) Region unsuitable for setting up state Capital.

Totally ignoring the Committee Report without assigning any reason, GoAP enacted the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 (CRDA Act) on 30thDec. 2014 and declared VGTM as Capital city and Capital Region Area. This legislation does not have the assent of President of India and therefore untenable being in conflict with Central Acts.

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To build this capital-city about 35000 acres of land is being coercively ‘pooled’. This area comprises of very fertile agricultural lands, situated in the Krishna Delta and is within the flood affected and seismic Zone i.e. highly susceptible/vulnerable to Natural Calamities like, Flood, Earthquake and Cyclone. GoAP has not complied with even the preliminary requirements for a large capital-city project such as concept paper, population projection, Social Impact Assessment, land survey & requirement study, feasibility study, Environmental Impact Assessment, Detailed Project Report, Master Planning etc. All that has been done is some farcical documentation to get a hurriedly ‘in-principle’ approval from the state environment authorities who are under the administrative control of the project-patron.

It is pertinent here to point out that in Chandigarh which is the most acclaimed capital area in India, only 9000 acres were taken in Phase 1, and 6000 acres in Phase 2, making a total of 15000 acres. These two phases of the city now with a population of 1.2 million has taken more than 60 years for implementation. Chandigarh is low-rise-low-density city with a high percentage of open space in the form of vistas, avenues, gardens, valleys, lakes etc. As against this AP Capital is being planned as high-rise-high-intensity and such a city for a million plus population in a century or so could be built in about 5000 to 6000 acres. Grabbing 35000 acres is nothing but blatant real-estate venture.

GoAP also does not have the funds to carry out even a fraction of the massive capital-city project estimated to cost over Rs. 300,000 crores. Such a huge expenditure cannot be incurred by the State government without adversely affecting budgetary allocations in the State.

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Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) as claimed by GoAP is a sleight-of-hand. In actual fact in order to rush things and coerce farmers into surrendering the land GoAP on 14 May 2015 issued Notification for coercive acquisition of land major tracts of which are irrigated multi-crop land acquisition of which is specifically prohibited under Section 10 of LARR Act, 2013. Also capital-city project does not come under the definition of ‘public purpose’ provided in Section 2 of the LARR Act. What is alarming, this coercively acquired/pooled without paying any compensation to the farmers are being handed over to private agencies on a 99-year lease for commercial exploitation [GOMs No 110 dated 2-5-2015 by GoAP Municipal Adinistration & Urban Development Dept]. It was for this purpose that Section 54 of the CRDA Act provides for ‘Developer Entities’ which are private real estate developers.

AP capital-city project area has two kinds of villages–one with irrigated multi-crop land within 2 km from the river and another with mostly rain fed land. All the villages have a vibrant agricultural economy of Rs.1000 crores per year, with complete linkages from farm to market, and large sections of people deriving livelihoods–including land owners, sharecroppers, tenant farmers and agricultural workers. This is an area of the best soil and climatic conditions, and the richest diversity of more than 120 crops. More than 1 lakh working persons are earning secure livelihood from agriculture in these villages, including the residents and external labour.

The government figures show that 32,153 persons in these villages are mainly dependent on agricultural labour whereas 10,556 persons are mainly dependent on cultivating their land. About 80% of the people involved in agriculture in these villages are landless or marginal farmers who are dependent on agricultural labour and tenancy. There is absolutely no compensation or safeguards being included by the government for these people who will be losing their secure livelihoods.

Master Plan for the capital City is being prepared by a foreign entity in utter secrecy without any consultation process with the stake holders and without taking into consideration the environmental, ecological, social, economic and other ground realities. Prime Minister has been invited to lay the foundation stone on 22 October 2015for a massive capital-city project for which even the basic documentation for land title is not really available with CRDA, the project-proponent. And as per media reports National Green Tribunal on Saturday directed CRDA not to take up any construction-related activity for the new capital-city until the necessary environmental clearances are acquired. NGT also has reportedly restrained the project-proponent from taking up any work, including levelling of the grounds.

Under the circumstances it would be extremely embarrassing for the PM and Government of India to participate in the 22 October function at ‘Amravati’ and lay the foundation stone for a non-existent but extremely hyped ‘project’. It could also be perceived as an act against thousands of small/marginal farmers and agricultural labour whose livelihood would be sacrificed at the altar of this massive, environment-killing Real Estate El dorado which Andhra Pradesh do not require.

From,
M.G.Devasahayam IAS (Retd),
103, Ceebros Bayview, 4th Seaward Road,
Valmikinagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai – 600041
Email: deva1940@gmail.com ; Mobile: 09940174446

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Naidu gives new Mantra to AP people

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Naidu gives new Mantra to AP people

Chief minister Chandrababau Naidu has given new chant for Telugu people of successor state of Andhra Pradesh: ” Mana Amaravati” (Our Amaravati). The objective of the slogan is to transform ” Amaravati ” a magical word that should reverberate in very town, village and house in Andhra Pradesh. He wants everyone chant Amaravati starting from tomorrow until the foundation stone is laid on October 22, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at UdhandaRayunipalem on the banks of River Krishna in Guntur district.

Naidu called upon the party all leaders at all levels in the organization structure to participate in the all programs connected to Amaravati Sankustapanana ceremony commencing from tomorrow. Naidu addressed a teleconference with MLA, MLC, and MPs of the party this morning . He asked them to participate in 10K and 5K runs being organized on October 18 to create Amaravati awareness among the people and about the importance developing Amaravati as world-class capital. These runs are part of the campaign to persuade people to participate in the capital construction in way or the other. He was very particular about the participation of MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other leaders of the party.
He briefed them about the ‘Mana matti- Mana neeru – Mana Amaravathi’ and asked then ensure that party leaders, workers, sympathizers participated in the program in a big way.

On the other side, despite green tribunal directive not take up ground leveling activities before getting environmental clearance for the capital construction project, the civil works for the foundation stone laying ceremony are in full swing. The main theme of the event is ‘Sunrise State,’ (opposition criticizing this as ‘son-rise state) and the main stage would have a huge digital screen showing the sun rising on the horizon. Rising sun is the line for investment promotion campaign of Andhra Pradesh. The event manager, Mumbai-based Wizcraft Event Managers , which gave a presentation of the theme in the cabinet meeting, is meticulously putting the theme of chief minister Naidu to practice as per Vastu. A representative of CRDA told telugu360.com that Vastu was being followed at every step- raising the stage, seating arrangement, fixing the location of foundation laying ceremony, facing of the state, galleries, in-gates and out-gates of the venue.

The erection of the main stage began with workers mounting steel poles on the ground. The huge dais overlooking the Krishna river is being arranged in North Eastern direction to face the Krishna river.”River is the governing force for us. The capitals heart lies in the river,” the CRDA sources said. The 200-acrea area chosen for performing Puja for laying foundation stone, has been taken over by the police to take care of the security plan commensurate with the expected gathering.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Naidu wants Amaravati a sacred destination

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Naidu wants Amaravati a sacred destination

Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, who has inherited three divergent cultural geographies in the form of successor state of Andhra Pradesh, is struggling a lot to construct a single culture identity for the state of Andhra Pradesh. Unlike Telangana, which is culturally a single unit at macro level, Naidu’s Andhra Pradesh is composed of three regions Rayalaseema, Northa coastal Andhra, and core Andhra (circar ) region, which are culturally, economically and socially poles apart. While the first two are backward regions, the third, Andhra area, is a fertile, money rich delta region. Location of capital in the fertile region has created irreversible chasm between the backward and advanced Andhra regions. So, sensing trouble in future, Naidu is planning to construct a single, catch-all cultural identity, to nip the resentment in the bud. His struggle is evident in the way the foundation stone laying ceremony is being organized as a culture festival.

Noted sculptor Rajiv Sethi is designing a grand memorial at Amaravati, the upcoming capital city, in an extent of 200 acres, which according to chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, will become a major tourist spot in the city. It will have a big tourist gallery and a museum depicting the theme of Amaravati city through the ages. To make the memorial sacred spot, the water gathered from all the rivers across the country , will be used in the construction of the memorial. On the eve of foundation laying ceremony, prayer will be conducted 150 temples, 50 churches and 50 masjids all over Andhra Pradesh. The chief minister instructed the official to collect the letters containing the pledge that they are committed to build the temple from the people from 16000 villages in the states. All these letters will be preserved in a time capsule. A Jyothi( torch) symbolising the Amravati fulfilment should be brought from every mandal to Amaravati. CRDA will bring about the booklets with information about the greatness of site of capital Amaravati and the importance of building a world-class capital and ensure they reached every student in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The booklet carry the message,” centre of world’s investments, future destination of youth”. The cabinet,which is meeting on Saturday, will decide the various programs be conducted during the official festival program from October 13 to October 21. Chief minister also instructed the official to organize the foundation stone laying ceremony in such a spectacular way that it should go down in the history of Andhra Pradesh as turning point.

These are instructions chief minister issues to collectors, other district officials along with state officials in a video conference he addressed from his camp office in Vijayawada. The state government has already declared the October 13-21 official celebration. Though not region specific festivals, Sankranti and Dasara had been celebrated as state festival last year. The Kodandarama temple in Ontimitta, Kadapa, had become the Bhadrachalam of Andhra Pradesh. Naidu has launched a tradition of the celebrating Srirama Navami festival this year.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

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