Visakhapatnam: The latest deadline set by the government in resolving the Simhachalam land issue had just concluded last month but there seems to be no sign of a solution. In June, the government assured that within three months, the land issue will be solved. It is already the last week of October and there are no signs of solution.
Simhachalam Devasthanam Board is considered as the largest land owning shrine in the state with 14,000 acres, donated by the Vizianagaram Rajas, the hereditary trustees of the Temple Board.
Thousands of acres spread in Adivivaram,Vepagunta, Chemalapalli, Purusho-ttapuram and Venkatapuram, which are called as ‘Pancha Gramalu’, were given to farmers for cultivation by the temple authorities long back. Farmers earned a livelihood by cultivating cashew and mango orchards.
In course of time as the city developed and expanded these farmers started selling their lands to real estate brokers.
Later on, the government started its efforts to restore the land to temple board.
For the last 15 years, those who bought lands from the farmers have been fighting against restoration by the temple authorities.
When K. Rosaiah was the chief minister, the state government tried to auction 300 acres undisputed land in various parts of the five villages belonginging to Simha-chalam Temple Board, which faced a rough weather.
After stiff opposition from many quarters, the state government rolled back the decision of auctioning.
“In the first Cabinet meeting held at Vizag when the TD formed government in the new state in 2014 it was decided that the Simhacham land issue will be solved within 90 days. Since long, the government has been extending the deadlines but seems to be no solution in sight. Meanwhile, a similar Gajuwak Inam said land issue is almost nearing to be resolved,” said T. Sankar of Simhachalam.
The increasing land prices in the State are leading to murders and other crimes.
