VIJAYAWADA: The State government has cancelled the allotment of 12.51 acres of land to Hayagreeva Farms and Developers at Yendada village in Visakhapatnam Rural Mandal.
The memo issued by the Revenue Department to the Visakhapatnam Collector on Monday cites multiple violations of the land alienation conditions originally set in 2008. The land, alienated for the construction of cottages for the aged people and orphans, will now be reclaimed by the government for public use. The cancellation follows a prolonged legal and administrative battle, culminating in the orders of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
The land, measuring 12.51 acres in Survey No. 92/3, was allotted to Hayagreeva Farms in 2008 under GO No. 1447 for Rs 45 lakh per acre. The firm was tasked with constructing cottages within a stipulated time, but the government alleged that it misused the land for commercial purpose, defeating the altruistic intent of the allotment.
According to the memo signed by Special Chief Secretary RP Sisodia, the firm committed serious breaches, including selling 54% of the land (90% of the allowable portion) through sale agreements and deeds without obtaining necessary occupancy certificates from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). The building plans submitted by Hayagreeva Farms lacked old-age-friendly designs, violating the Building Rules 2017, and indicated a shift towards residential villas rather than cottages for the elderly people and orphans.
The firm’s explanation — that delays in approvals hindered progress — was dismissed, with the government asserting that Hayagreeva Farms submitted misleading proposals, and failed to act within the agreed three-year timeframe after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in 2018.
The decision aligns with GO No. 57 (2015), empowering District Collectors to cancel, and resume land for non-compliance, and is bolstered by a recent High Court ruling, which upheld the government’s right to reclaim land under the Board Standing Orders (BSO) No. 24.
The District Collector of Visakhapatnam has been directed to take immediate action to reclaim the land, and repurpose it for public benefit.