VIZIANAGARAM:Rural development and housing minister K Mrunalini has called upon the farmers of Bhogapuram to voluntarily give up their lands for the proposed airport, to enable rapid development and improve the employment opportunities in the district.
Addressing newsmen here Saturday, the minister said that it is ofcourse a hard decision to give away one’s house or land. But one should come forward to do so for the overall development of the district. The government would make a move only if the farmers extend their cooperation in establishing the greenfield airport at Bhogapuram. It would also provide them with necessary facilities and compensation, as is being done in the case of farmers who handed over their lands for the construction of the new capital, she clarified.
“We will educate the farmers about compensation and the benefits of development. In fact, there is a huge demand from various states for new airports. In our state as well, the other districts are vying with each other for new airport. However, the airport has been sanctioned to Srikakulam in view of the backwardness of the district,” she explained.
Earlier, the minister announced sops including granting loan worth Rs 25,000 without interest for youth, houses to the eligible, special pensions to landless poor and waiver of crop loan for all farmers. Collector MM Naik was present.