YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy had promised to return the lands to the farmers in the capital villages during his visit to them before the elections. During his election campaign too, he had renewed his promise.
Now, after his announcement in the Assembly in favour of having three capitals, it looks like the government is making fast moves to fulfil what Jaganmohan Reddy had made to the people on returning the lands.
The government had issued orders cancelling the plots allotted to the people for the assigned lands, those belonged to the SCs. That was a big blow to the investors who have purchased these assigned lands, before and after the capital announcement.
Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy had hinted at giving back the lands to the owners if they wanted.
The government wants to keep those lands where some buildings were constructed, including the interim secretariat and assembly, the high court and the housing blocks and return the remaining lands.
The lands that lead to these buildings and other lands where roads were already formed will be retained, while the other lands are likely to be returned to the land owners.
However, it is not going to be easy for the government to return such lands as the boundaries were destroyed and the records were almost tampered with by the CRDA officials.
If Jaganmohan Reddy wants to continue the legislative capital here, he would require some lands to form connecting roads and link roads.
The lands in Penumaka, Undavalli and Tadepalli are yet to be given to the government. Without taking these lands, the government cannot form the roads to the legislative capital and it is to be seen how Jaganmohan Reddy would handle this.