Hyderabad: The state government has decided to reduce the extent of land to be given to Singapore to 500 acres from the initial demand of 3,000 acres in the capital city of Amaravati. The move came after hue and cry from several quarters including opposition on handing over farmers’ land to other countries. Singapore is likely to be the development partner with Capital City Development and Management Corporation.
In the first proposal, Singapore planned to develop 3,000 acres and in the revised proposal it was reduced to 1,600 acres. But the state government wants Singapore to develop only 500 acres. Discussions are going on between Singapore and AP government officials and a final decision would be taken soon, top officials in AP government said.
Singapore in its first Swiss Challenge proposal to become Amaravati development partner proposed to develop 3,000 acres in Amaravati capital city. After studying the proposal, AP government officials found many deviations in the Singapore proposal against the agreement reached between AP and Singapore governments. Following objections raised by AP officials, Singapore submitted its revised Swiss Challenge proposal. In the revised proposal, Singapore has mentioned plans to develop 1,600 acres.
Singapore expressed many doubts on the returns after development of the land and at one stage state government thought that the Singapore may go back to become Amaravati development partner. When asked why the state government is very particular to make Singapore as Amaravati development partner, the official said that China and Japan also expressed interest to take part in Amaravati development partner. But Singapore has a global brand image prompting the state government to choose it as a development partner.
After taking a final decision on the development of Amaravati city with Singapore government, the state government will form a joint venture with the companies of both the governments. The joint venture will include Ascendas, and Singbridge from Singapore and Capital City Development and Management Corporation (CCDMC) from AP.
In the agreement between Singapore and AP governments, the Singapore government said 100 per cent Singapore-government owned companies will be in the Joint venture. But the proposed Singapore-based companies Ascendas and Singbridge are not 100 per cent owned by Singapore government. When this was pointed out by AP officials, Singapore officials assured that the government will give guarantee for the companies. The state government had decided earlier to develop 1,600 acres in the capital city with Singapore government. But now it has decided to develop only 500 acres initially with Singapore. After seeing the progress, the state government may increase the area, officials said.
Land change goes to CRDA:
AP government has transferred powers to AP Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) to give permissions on the change of land use in capital city area limits. The CRDA Act originally empowered the authority to permit change in land use in the capital area. However, the government was still handling the issue after the CRDA was formed.
CRDA chief commissioner N. Srikant recently wrote to the government to transfer powers to CRDA to permit change of land use according to the Act. Subsequently, the state government issued memo orders transferring powers to CRDA in giving permission in change of land use in CRDA limits.
