Andhra Pradesh to bring back Land Use Board
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government is likely to revive Land Use Boards to be chaired by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the wake of the resistance against land acquisition.
The purpose of the Board is to classify land in the entire state based on land capabilities like industrial, mining and agriculture. Chief Minister asked the officials to work on it as he was impressed by a report of principal secretary of finance department Ajeya Kallam on the same issue.
During the British period as well as immediately after Independence all the states used to have Land Use Boards chaired by the Chief Ministers. Centre used to sponsor this land capability studies. The scheme was implemented till 2000.
In recent times land management has become complicated as the demand for land for non-agriculture activities is going up by the day. Value of land is also going up.
Due to this, political parties and non government organisations frequently raise a hue and cry over land acquisition in the name of pollution and eradication of farmers.
As is being done in urban areas, one can declare areas specifically meant for industrial purpose or agriculture purpose calling for public objections.
After a public hearing, once notification is finalised, no Court will entertain complaints as the zonification is done scientifically.
Mr Kallam in his report had said if the state can bring an Act for this purpose it will be showing a way to the rest of the country.
This doesn’t need much financial support as the information is available and only a competent technical team should sit and work out the zones in each district in a period of six months.