The plan of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to secure farmland in the Vijayawada-Guntur region is likely to hit a roadblock with what farmers reaffirm its determination upon surrender of their lands until he was promised an attractive package.
Farmers from 21 villages have been identified for the 'pooling of land "for the new capital are on the warpath against the proposed annual compensation of Rs. 25,000 acre grounds offer as unattractive. The package, according ryot, is too less when compared with current income of fertile and highly productive land. in addition, the offer to return 1,000 square meters for each given acre is very little given the exorbitant prices witnessed in the real estate markets.
Angry farmers poured out their woes to a team of Congress leaders who visited villages and Rayapudi Malkapuram with the media in tow, to interact with farmers. Farmers in several villages Thullur and Mangalagiri mandals that have been listed by the subcommittee of the Cabinet of the new capital, came to Rayapudi to discuss their future course of action.
Srinivasa Reddy Marreddi village in Mangalagiri Nidamarru said farmers in his village had been in the flower business for many generations. The current lease for an acre of land in his village with full grown Jasmine garden was between Rs. 1 and Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum. Farmers harvest the flowers everyday and products to major cities and towns of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana now transported. "During Dasara one kg of Jasmine sells for Rs. 1000 and some farmers harvested 40kg from her garden that day. The average income per hectare in a year was Rs. 2 lakh," added Mr. Reddy.
"Being on the banks of Krishna river water was available 365 days and a variety of crops, including several vegetables were raised about the year. The farmers of these villages were prosperous and does not require money," said Veeranjaneyulu Kuragallu village.
Krishna Delta Parirakshana Samithi President Kolanukonda Sivaji said the government seemed indifferent to the plight of farmers. The Samithi would contact social activists like Medha Pathkar and Vandana Shiva to take up the cause of farmers.
DCC president and secretary N. Narasimha Rao Akula Srinivas Kumar PCC expressed solidarity with farmers.
