Ryots allege land grab through fake agreements

At a time when land sharks are eyeing on government and private land in and around Srikakulam, in view of the realty boom post-bifurcation, another incident of influential people allegedly grabbing land of several farmers in the district has come to the fore, through general power of attorney agreements (GPA).

According to sources, a few influential people from Visakhapatnam and other places had entered into GPA agreements with farmers in Gara and Srikakulam, by offering the latter around Rs. 10,000 an acre five years ago. The farmers were then promised that they would get their legitimate share after the sale of lands to third parties. Going by the current market price, each acre costs more than Rs.15 lakh.

But, farmers allege that GPA holders do not want to share the benefit with them, saying that they do not have any right after signing the agreement.

Some farmers, including T. Telukuti Chittibabu, T. Lakshmana Rao and Ramarao, recently approached Labour and Employment Minister K. Atchannaidu seeking protection of their property. “GPA agreements have become a bane for many villagers of Gara, Vatsavalasa, Yerraguddi and Chilakuripeta. The government should cancel those agreements. It is nothing but cheating,” said Mr. Chittibabu.

Expensive government and private lands are being occupied in and around Srikakulam with the land price skyrocketing. Government sources said several pieces of land in Srikakulam municipality were under illegal encroachment, thanks to poor supervision by the authorities. Developers of PN Colony had donated 18 sites to the State government 30 years ago, but none of them is in the hands of the Srikakulam Municipality now, it is learnt.

However, Mr. Atchannaidu said the government was keen on ordering an inquiry into the alleged land grabbing at PN Colony, Visakha Colony and DCCB Colony.

There are no reserve sites usually allotted for construction of temples, parks and community halls, in the colonies. The Minister has also asked municipal officials to conduct a survey and come up with a plan of action for the protection of government land. “Revenue officials should allow us to use our land spread across 300 acres and arrest those involved in illegal activities,” said Mr. Lakshmanarao, a farmer, who had signed the agreement.