HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to set up a committee of representatives from civil society groups and experts in administration to study various aspects of resumption of assigned lands in possession of ineligible persons.

The committee, being set up in accordance with the recommendations made by the Koneru Ranga Rao panel on land issues, will be entrusted with the task of identifying the extent of assigned, forest, surplus, endowments and inam lands and the modalities for their distribution among the eligible poor.

A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to review the progress of `Bhoo yagnam' land distribution programme.The decision assumes significance in the light of criticism from different sections, including political parties, that the Government was likely to target the poorer sections in the resumption of the lands, sparing the rich and influential people. Dr. Reddy reiterated that the Government would not touch the lands owned by the poor and marginal farmers. It would, in fact, legalise the lands in the possession of these sections. The Government was also not contemplating any punitive measures against those volunteering to surrender the assigned lands in their possession within 90 days of the issuance of the notification.

After the notification was issued for re-claiming the assigned lands in possession of ineligible persons, the Government had already opened a special cell in the office of the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration.

A tribunal had been set up to expeditiously resolve the disputes arising out of the acquisition.

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