Medak IIT: delay in land acquisition likely

Sangareddy: Even as the local legislator declared the date of Bhoomi Puja for the construction of prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Medak at Kandi as August 8, the authorities are sceptical about completing the process of land acquisition by that time.

According to T. Jayaprakash Reddy, who organised a series of meetings with farmers of Kandi village, the farmers are ready to surrender the land to facilitate construction of the esteemed project.

The Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekara Reddy and a few Union Ministers are expected to grace the event.

Farmers want clarity

The then district Collector B. Venaktesam had assured different teams from the Indian Institute of Technology that the administration was ready to hand over any extent of land for the construction in the village.

It was estimated that a major chunk of the required 535 acres would be government land and assigned land could be withdrawn just by giving a notice.

Surveys conducted

However, during surveys conducted later it was found that 30 acres belonged to the government, 90 acres under Patta category and around 400 acres of assigned land.
Basing on the need list given by the Indian Institute of Technology team, the administration directed the farmers to stop cultivating the land a year ago.

Amount released

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Jayaprakash Reddy said that an amount of Rs. 19 crore had been released by the government for purpose of land acquisition.
He said Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy advised the authorities to fix a rate of Rs. 5 lakh for the patta land and Rs 2 to 3 lakh for the assigned land.

According to Mrityunjaya, Revenue Divisional Officer, notices of acquisition for the 90 acres of patta land were issued and the remaining being surplus land would be acquired without any trouble.

He said the whole process of acquisition would be over within a month.
However, contradicting the MLA’s announcement he said that there was no directive from the government on the issue of price for patta lands.

Repair work

Meanwhile, repair work to the grammar school in the Ordinance Factory of Yeddumylaram was going on to facilitate the conduct of classes for first year IIT students from this academic year.
(Source : The Hindu)