AP CM Naidu distributes house-site pattas to 28,445 beneficiaries in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, Sept 19 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday distributed conveyance deeds to 28,445 beneficiaries under the ‘Pedalaku Pattabhishekam–Mee Illu Mee Hakku’ programme, providing full ownership rights over their house sites and bringing an end to decades-long uncertainty for thousands of families in the Visakhapatnam region.

The government regularised 399 acres of land across 11 mandals under the programme, covering 19,33,853 square yards.

The pattas confer rights over land with a registration value of about Rs 8,874 crore, while the market value is expected to be considerably higher.

Addressing a public meeting on the occasion,  Naidu said the distribution of conveyance deeds would end the long wait faced by poor families who had been living without ownership rights.

He advised beneficiaries not to sell their properties merely because land values had increased, saying the properties would provide security and confidence to their families.

Describing the move as more than a transfer of property rights, the Chief Minister said it recognised the rights and self-respect of the poor and secured the future of their children.

Naidu said “food, shelter and clothing” remained the government’s guiding principle and that it was working with the inspiration of former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao to provide every poor family with a permanent house.

More than five lakh houses had been constructed in the last two years and another five lakh-plus houses would be completed by next March, he said.

On the long-pending Panchagramalu issue, Naidu said steps would be taken to resolve it soon and pattas would be issued to around 22,000 eligible beneficiaries.

He also said eligible poor families residing on Endowments Department lands would be provided house sites.

Through the ‘Mee Bhoomi–Mee Hakku’ programme, the government was working to resolve long-standing revenue-related issues, he said, adding that land had already been regularised and pattas issued to 12,000 families in various districts.

The Chief Minister described Visakhapatnam as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and said it had the potential to emerge as a global city.

He said the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport had strengthened the aspirations of North Andhra and stressed that the poor should also benefit from the city’s development.

He directed officials to make Visakhapatnam cleaner and greener and increase its green cover.

Referring to Tirumala’s 89.4 per cent green cover, he asked officials to work towards a similar increase in greenery in Visakhapatnam.

Naidu said the government was making efforts to develop Visakhapatnam, including measures to safeguard the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant with the support of the Union Government.

The long-pending Visakhapatnam Railway Zone had also commenced operations, he said.

On drinking water, the Chief Minister said the impact of El Niño had created difficulties in Visakhapatnam.

He said the government would bring Godavari water to the city through the Polavaram project to provide a permanent solution to its drinking water requirements.

Godavari water had already been brought to Anakapalli through the Polavaram Left Main Canal, while steps were being taken to link it with the Vamsadhara river, he said.

The Veligonda project was also being completed to provide water to Markapuram, he added.

Naidu said people in Visakhapatnam had faced difficulties during the previous government due to land disputes, demolitions and other issues.

A decision would soon be taken on the utilisation and maintenance of the buildings constructed at Rushikonda, with the objective of putting them to public use, he said.

The government was working to attract industries to the state, he said, adding that ensuring adequate drinking water for residents and water availability for industries would remain its responsibility.

Ministers K Atchannaidu, Nadendla Manohar and Dola Balaveeranjaneya, BJP state president PVN Madhav, MP M Sribharat, MLAs, public representatives and senior officials attended the programme.

TNT KM