PNS|Vijayawada
CPM State secretariat member Ch Babu Rao has strongly criticised the ruling YSRCP leaders for allegedly encroaching upon the Budameru major drain and subsequently selling the land as house plots. He accused local leaders of occupying Irrigation department lands with the tacit approval of people’s representatives. Demanding a judicial inquiry into these encroachments, he called for justice to be served to the poor and middle-class individuals who have already purchased the plots and constructed houses.
On Saturday, the CPM leader conducted an inspection of the encroached lands at Nandamuri Nagar of Ajith Singh Nagar in Vijayawada. During his visit, he spoke to victims who had bought the encroached lands. CPM leaders raised slogans against these encroachments and demanded strict action against those involved.
Subsequently, Babu Rao addressed the media and alleged that Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu and local corporator Avuthu Sri Sailaja, who holds the Deputy Mayor Post, have supported the local leaders of the ruling YSRCP in encroaching upon the irrigation lands. He further accused them of developing roads and underground drainage systems and providing electricity facilities using government funds.
Babu Rao also expressed his disappointment with the irrigation department officials for not taking effective action against the encroached lands. He claimed that when the issues were brought to their attention through print media, the department merely placed boards stating the lands belonged to the irrigation department but failed to conduct thorough inspections due to pressure from some representatives of the ruling party.
Regarding the encroachment of Budameru drain lands, he asserted that this issue is not limited to the current government but has occurred in previous administrations as well. He claimed that these lands are worth crores of rupees and accused both ruling YSRCP and opposition TDP leaders of colluding in the sale of these lands.
Babu Rao criticised the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation officials for collecting vacant land tax and granting permissions for construction on these encroached lands, which rightfully belong to the Irrigation Department. He questioned how the VMC officials could issue permits without the knowledge of MLA Malladi Vishnu and MLC Ruhulla.
In light of the rampant land grabbing in Ramakrishnapuram and New Rajiv Nagar, he urged the state government to respond promptly and conduct an inquiry. He emphasized the need to provide justice to the victims who purchased the plots without knowing they were encroached lands.
The CPM leader further demanded that the government initiate a judicial inquiry to identify and punish the encroachers. He also called for responses from MLA Vishnu, MLC Ruhulla, and TDP leaders regarding their alleged involvement in these encroachments.
CPM Central Zone secretary B Ramana Rao, along with leaders K Durga Rao, Ch Srinivas, Sk Peer Saheb, and T Srinivas, were present during the inspection and subsequent press conference.
