Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana, a key man in the ‘capital,’ scheme of things of the TDP-led State government, drew the ire of farmers in the capital region over fixation of the village contours.
It was perhaps for the first time, that farmers, once strong supporters of the Land Pooling Scheme, have turned their backs on Mr. Narayana, also the vice-chairman of CRDA. Sensing the unrest, the Minister chose not to visit to Thullur and confined himself to Neerukonda, Krishnayapalem and Rayapudi villages. A heavy police escort accompanied the Minister.
Farmers in Thullur protested against the attitude of the Minister at a meeting convened by Minister for Agriculture P. Pulla Rao.
The farmers, who have been upset with the form 9.5 notices served on them, rejecting their claims over the possession of open sites, cattle sheds and common utilities, blamed the Minister for the fiasco.
“Mr. Narayana has been saying all throughout that the CRDA will not disturb the extended village contours. But out of the blue, we were served notices on August 20 . We hope that the government will resolve the crisis or else, we will turn against the government,” said former PACS member D. Srinivasa Rao.
With the restive farmers venting out their anger against his Cabinet colleague, Mr. Pulla Rao tried to assuage their feelings and listed out a series of measures.
“We are resurveying the village contours . We will also ensure that no notices will be served on farmers by the CRDA without our knowledge,’’ Mr. Pulla Rao said.
