The Hindu : Front Page : YSR denies allotment of farm varsity land for expressway

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 07, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

YSR denies allotment of farm varsity land for expressway

Special Correspondent

Political parties come under criticism for playing up issue

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy denied that the Government had allotted 50 acres of land belonging to Acharya N. G. Ranga Agriculture University to private parties for construction of an express highway.

He said that in the first place the private parties had not yet been identified. Even if they were, the model for implementing the project would have to be worked out. "In such a case, where is the question of giving land at this stage," he asked. He criticised political parties for making an issue out of nothing. He affirmed that the university land would not be alienated for any purpose.

Referring to reports about the development of a golf course by a private party near Golconda fort, the Chief Minister said the project and party had been identified six years ago by the Telugu Desam Government. We have nothing to do with it.

The work is progressing as per the previous agreement." Referring to complaints by villagers that adequate compensation was not paid to them, Dr Reddy said ideally they should be paid an amount with which they could buy an equal extent of land elsewhere.

He said the WIPRO group had sought allotment of 300 acres near Hyderabad and he, in turn, asked its representatives to be in touch with officials concerned. To another question, he said he was not aware of the controversy surrounding the Imax theatre in the City.

On his earlier meeting with representatives of L&T, the Chief Minister said "they are interested in certain projects, including ship-building. I asked them to come back with definite proposals."

ANGRAU clarifies

There is no proposal either from the Government or the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University for handing over the varsity land for the expressway project, said D. Jagannadha Raju, Registrar, ANGRAU, in a press release.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail