YSRCP plundered AP: CM

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has accused the previous YSRCP government of extensive exploitation of the State’s natural resources. He claimed that lands and minerals were looted, with instances of land grabbing reported in Visakhapatnam, Ongole, and Chittoor under the pretence of house construction.
Naidu released a white paper at the Secretariat detailing the exploitation of natural resources during the previous administration.
The Chief Minister stated, “According to available statistics, 1.75 lakh acres of land, valued at approximately Rs 35,000 crore, were illegally occupied.” He assured that stringent action would be taken against those involved in such illegal activities, including the plundering of natural resources and government properties.
Naidu criticised the previous government for squandering Rs 653 crore on issuing new passbooks following a land resurvey and announced the withdrawal of this resurvey. He expressed regret over the complete looting of red sanders stocks, the reduction in vigilance and forest staff, and the illegal grabbing of quarries.
The Chief Minister urged the public, especially those affected, to report land grabbing and other illicit activities of the previous government. A toll-free number will be provided for lodging complaints. He also criticized the allocation of the Forest portfolio to the same minister who oversaw the Mining wing, accusing him of using this position to exploit the state.
Naidu highlighted the case of Ramanaidu Studios in Visakhapatnam, where land previously allocated was reclassified as residential property for personal gain, a matter currently pending before the Supreme Court. He also noted that former MP MVV Satyanarayana attempted to illegally occupy 12.51 acres designated for an old age home, while Sarada Peetham received land at a nominal rate.
The Chief Minister lamented that 8,086 acres of land intended for the landless were seized by ineligible parties. He detailed the allocation of land in Kadapa (5,796 acres), Kurnool (1,145 acres), Annamayya district (3,471 acres), and Nandyal district (318 acres) to favoured individuals, totalling over Rs 1,300 crore. He condemned the conversion of assigned lands into freehold properties through threats to officials, asserting that those who purchased these lands illegally would face imprisonment.
Naidu announced that lands grabbed by YSRCP leaders would be returned to their rightful owners. He criticized the Land Titling Act, which he claimed was implemented based on NITI Aayog guidelines but was never applied nationwide. Consequently, the Act has been repealed.
A new AP Land Grabbing Act, modelled after Gujarat’s legislation, will be introduced soon. This Act will require individuals who occupy land illegally to prove ownership. Naidu also highlighted the significant loss of Rs 9,750 crore due to reduced mineral revenue and criticised the sand mafia’s impact on the State.