The delay in clearing a file pertaining to a housing scheme to be executed by the Rajiv Swagruha Corporation has earned chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy a stinging rebuke from the Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta.
“It is un-understandable as to how a file could be kept pending with the chief minister or any minister for such a long period, as it was reported to this institution as early as July 4, 2011 that the file was circulated to the chief minister and is under consideration. Even after expiry of nearly a year, the same status is continued,’’ the Lokayukta said.
It further said it would have been appropriate for officials to bring the delay to the chief minister’s notice and directed the principal secretary (revenue) to conclude the matter expeditiously and submit a report.
The file pertains to land allotted for a housing scheme to be executed by the corporation in Raghunadhapalli village in Khammam district.
The Lokayukta’s observations came after a deputy secretary appeared in person on Friday and submitted a report (dated September 13, 2012) by the principal secretary (revenue) that the file circulated to the chief minister was still to be received by the section concerned.
The Lokayukta had in 2010 sought a detailed report on the matter from the Khammam district collector, following a complaint by one P Rajyalakshmi of Palvancha pointing that a part (survey no. 210) of the 362.
14 acres allotted to the housing scheme in Raghunathapalle village in Khammam Urban Mandal fell in a dolomite- rich area.
In his report, the Khammam collector said a survey conducted by an assistant director from Mines and Geology had indeed found the existence of dolomite over an area of approximately 200 sq km in Bonakal, Khammam Urban, Khammam Rural, Karepally, Garla and Bayyaram mandals.
Of the total land allocated to the housing scheme, a 101.31 acre parcel would not affect the overall mining operations.
The Lokayukta then directed the collector to report why an alternative piece of land could not be allotted to the Rajiv Swagruna Corporation since no construction activity had started yet.
In reply, the collector reported that the corporation had spent Rs 1.98 crore on development of the 362.14 acre site including the 101.31 acres in Raghunathapalle. Subsequently, the chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA) held a meeting to explore alternatives and the matter was referred to the government. The Lokyukta on December 1, 2011 directed the principal secretary (revenue) to consider the proposals forwarded by CCLA and posted the matter to February 3, 2011.
In his report on July 4, 2011, the principal secretary (revenue) stated that after the Social Welfare Department furnished its views, the file was circulated to the chief minster through the concerned minister for consideration and approval.