CM Naidu Hands House Pattas to 28,445 AP Families

Under this programme the government regularised 399 acres of land across 11 mandals in Visakhapatnam, covering a total extent of 19,33,853 square yards.

The pattas confer rights over land with a registration value of approximately Rs 8,874 crore, while the market value is expected to be considerably higher.

Later addressing a public meeting, the Chief Minister said by distributing conveyance deeds today the government putting an end to decades-long uncertainty of thousands of poor suffering without ownership rights so far.

He advised beneficiaries not to sell their properties merely because land values have increased, stating that the land would provide them security and confidence.

He described the distribution of pattas as more than a transfer of property rights, calling it a recognition of the self-respect of the poor and their rights and their children’s future.

The Chief Minister said “food, shelter and clothing” remained the government’s guiding principle and that it was working with the inspiration of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao to ensure every poor family a permanent house.

“We will provide house sites, construct houses and give every family a permanent address,” he said.

He stated that more than 5 lakh houses had been constructed in the last two years and another 5 lakh-plus houses would be completed by next March.

On the long-pending Panchagramalu issue in Visakhapatnam, Chandrababu Naidu said the government would take steps to resolve it soon. Pattas have to be issued to around 22,000 people, and efforts would be made to complete the process at the earliest.

He also said poor families living on Endowments Department lands should be provided house sites wherever eligible.

Through the ‘Mee Bhoomi–Mee Hakku’ programme, the government was working to free people from long-standing revenue-related problems, he said. Land has already been regularised and pattas issued to 12,000 families in various districts.

The Chief Minister said Visakhapatnam was among the fastest-growing cities in the country and described it as a city with the potential to become a global city.

He said the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport had given wings to the aspirations of North Andhra and stressed that the government had a responsibility to ensure that the poor also shared in the benefits of Visakhapatnam’s development.

He directed officials to make Visakhapatnam cleaner and greener. Referring to Tirumala’s 89.4 per cent green cover, the Chief Minister directed officials to similarly increase greenery in Visakhapatnam.

He said the government was making all-round efforts for the development of Visakhapatnam, including measures to safeguard the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant with the support of the Union Government. He also said the long-pending Visakhapatnam Railway Zone had commenced operations.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the impact of El Niño was creating drinking water difficulties in Visakhapatnam.

He said he had reviewed the drinking water situation immediately after arriving in the city and assured that measures would be taken to overcome the problem.

The government would bring Godavari water to Visakhapatnam through the Polavaram project and provide a permanent solution to the city’s drinking water requirements, he said.

Through river-linking initiatives, the State would work towards ensuring that there was no shortage of water, the Chief Minister said. Godavari water had already been brought to Anakapalli through the Polavaram Left Main Canal, and steps were being taken to link it with the Vamsadhara river, he added.He also said the Veligonda project was being completed to provide water to Markapuram.

The Chief Minister said people in Visakhapatnam had faced difficulties during the previous government due to land disputes, demolitions and other issues.He said a decision would soon be taken on the utilisation and maintenance of the buildings constructed at Rushikonda, with the objective of putting them to public use.Chandrababu Naidu said the government was working to attract industries to the State, while some were creating obstacles and spreading misinformation regarding data centres.

He reiterated that ensuring adequate drinking water for Visakhapatnam residents and water availability for industries would be the responsibility of the government.

Ministers K Atchannaidu,Nadendla Manohar, Dola Balaveeranjaneya, BJP State President PVN Madhav, MP M. Bharat, MLAs and other public representatives and officials attended the programme.