VIJAYAWADA: The CPM has made it clear that it does not oppose construction of Machilipatnam port per se but opposes usurping lands from farmers.
Speaking to media persons Tuesday after the conclusion of a two day state committee meeting, party state secretary P Madhu said that in the name of construction of Machilipatnam port, the state government was trying to wrest 30,000 acres of land only to gift to the corporate sector. The CPM leader said that the government was acting in a similar fashion to take 5,500 acres land in Bhavanapadu for fishing harbour, 5,300 acres for airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district and 5,500 acres at Polaki in Srikakluam district for setting up a thermal power station.
“There is no need for the government to acquire such vast stretches of land from farmers. For instance, one of the world’s busiest airports, Changi International Airport at Singapore has been constructed only in 1,200 acres. By preparing to take thousands of acres of lands, the government has made it clear that its intentions are to benefit corporate sector at the expense of the interests of farmers.
He said to acquire the lands, the government had chosen to invoke the ordinance which lapsed on August 31. It issued notifications for acquisition of lands in these areas, some of which were issued after August 31 with a back date. The government did this as it would not be required to take the consent of farmers for acquiring lands from him.
The CPM leader said that his party suspected that the government was issuing notifications for acquisition of lands only to frighten farmers and to force them to give up their lands under land pooling scheme. Immediately after the issue of notification for land acquisition, the chief minister said that he wanted the lands to be acquired under land pooling scheme, Madhu said.