Government Violating Farmers’ Rights, Says Bolisetti
Former Jana Sena leader and environmental activist Bolisetti Satyanarayana has strongly criticized the ongoing land acquisition process in the Amaravati capital region, alleging that the Andhra Pradesh government is attempting to acquire farmers’ lands illegally and without transparency. He claimed that the rights of farmers are being ignored and that coercive methods are being used to take over agricultural lands.
Compensation Far Below Market Value
Bolisetti stated that the actual market value of land in the Amaravati region is around ₹5.05 crore per acre, but the government is calculating compensation based only on the registered value of ₹45.70 lakh per acre.
He argued that under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013, along with the Andhra Pradesh Amendment Act, 2018, farmers are entitled to compensation of at least ₹10.10 crore per acre, including 100% solatium. Offering only around ₹1 crore per acre, he alleged, is a violation of the law.
Allegations of Lack of Transparency
Bolisetti accused the government of deliberately keeping registration values low, thereby encouraging the circulation of black money in land transactions.
He further alleged that land acquisition is being carried out without conducting the mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA), making the process legally questionable. He also criticized the government for issuing notifications late at night, pressuring farmers during public holidays, and allegedly intimidating them by citing court cases.
Environmental Concerns Over Land Pooling
Raising environmental objections, Bolisetti claimed that nearly 13,000 acres of riverbed and flood-prone land had been included in the Amaravati land pooling scheme, which he said violates the norms of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
He maintained that altering the natural flow of rivers and streams is unlawful and alleged that influential landowners were being spared while smaller and poorer farmers were being unfairly targeted.
Questions Raised Over Pawan Kalyan’s Stand
Bolisetti also questioned the position of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on the issue.
Recalling Pawan Kalyan’s assurance at a 2018 conference of displaced landowners, where he had promised to stand by farmers if they faced injustice, Bolisetti said that what was considered wrong then remains wrong today. He urged the Deputy Chief Minister not to ignore farmers’ grievances merely because he is part of the ruling alliance.
Conference on Land Acquisition Rights Planned
Bolisetti announced that a “Land Acquisition Law Protection Conference” will soon be organized in Vijayawada. He said Pawan Kalyan would also be invited to attend and clarify his stand on protecting farmers’ rights before the public.
Warning of Legal Action
Concluding his remarks, Bolisetti warned that if the government fails to maintain transparency in the land acquisition process and does not provide farmers with legally mandated compensation, the affected farmers would intensify their legal battle against the government. He asserted that every available legal avenue would be pursued to safeguard farmers’ rights.
