VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has strongly criticized the state government for failing to honor a three-decade-old promise of offering employment to those who surrendered land for a public project.
A bench comprising Justice Battu Devanand and Justice Avadhanam Hari Hara Nath Sharma observed that governments exhibit enthusiasm in acquiring land but lack zeal in fulfilling promises to displaced families.
The court stressed that denying jobs after acquiring land with such assurances violates constitutional rights.
“Every individual has the right to live with dignity. How can land losers survive with dignity if the government refuses to provide jobs as promised?” the bench questioned.
The remarks were made while hearing a petition filed by E Ramasubbiah from Muddarur village, who gave 60 cents of agricultural land for the Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project (RTPP) Stage-1 railway track in 1992. The state government had promised employment to 50% of displaced families.
HC reserves verdict in case over ‘job for land’
Ramasubbiah alleged he was denied employment despite applying and attending an interview soon after receiving compensation.
Due to his deteriorating health, Ramasubbiah sought the job for his son, Rajasekhar. After years of government inaction, the family approached the High Court in 2022. In 2023, a single judge directed the government to consider Rajasekhar for the post of Junior Plant Attendant.
The state appealed the order, arguing recruitment under the land losers’ quota was completed by 2014, and the single judge’s order contradicted earlier government orders.
Advocate GV Shivaji, representing the petitioners, countered that officials had appointed others under the same quota while ignoring the family, despite vacancies being available. He argued that compensation had been paid in full, yet authorities falsely cited pending payment to stall the application.
The bench remarked that the government’s conduct toward land-displaced families was “atrocious”. The bench reserved its verdict on the State government’s appeal.