The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), recently reactivated following the Chandrababu Naidu government's announcement to revive the Amaravati capital city project, has begun registering returnable plots for farmers who provided their lands for the capital city in 2015.
During the previous YSRCP government led by former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, allegations surfaced against Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders, including Naidu, his son Lokesh, and municipal administration minister Ponguru Narayana, accusing them of insider trading and land grabs.
Although the courts dismissed the insider trading cases, the Jagan government ordered a CID probe into allegations of land grabs by TDP leaders. These cases remain pending.
The APCRDA authorities, reviewing land allotments anew, have reportedly uncovered a significant scam involving several YSRCP leaders, particularly from the Rayalaseema region.
Sources indicate that during the early days of Jagan's tenure, YSRCP leaders from areas like Jammalamadugu, Kadapa, Pulivendula, Kurnool, Darsi, and Kamalapuram allegedly encroached on government lands in Amaravati and registered them in their names.
These lands were later returned to the APCRDA under the guise of land pooling, which allowed these leaders to secure commercial and residential plots.
It is alleged that approximately 1,200 acres of government land intended for capital region development were seized by these YSRCP leaders.
Since none of the allottees were from Amaravati but from Rayalaseema, APCRDA officials became suspicious. Upon reviewing the records, it was found that these leaders obtained plots by surrendering government lands that were classified as "unknown lands," including forest areas, canals, small water bodies, and unpaved village roads.
The government is expected to initiate a thorough inquiry into the alleged occupation of government lands and the allotment of commercial plots to YSRCP leaders.