From Our Correspondent
Amaravati: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said the State has already urged the Centre to issue a formal notification recognising Amaravati as the capital and will push the matter again. He added that the government will also discuss extending the capital gains exemption period for Amaravati farmers with the Union government.
Naidu held a detailed meeting with capital farmers at the Secretariat, where they raised concerns over land surveys, village boundaries, Lanka lands, and infrastructure in returnable plots. The CM said he had permitted pooling of Lanka lands and asked farmers to route unresolved issues through the three-member committee. He assured regular reviews on Amaravati-related matters.
Calling Amaravati the state’s “growth engine,” Naidu said the benefits of development must first reach capital-region farmers. He urged them not to sell returnable plots, citing rising land values and upcoming projects, including the Amaravati temple on the lines of Tirumala, BITS Pilani, and Quantum Valley. He also highlighted plans for an Aerospace City near Tirupati.
Naidu said land pooling in the second phase would continue for further development, stressing that unity among farmers is vital. Issues like requests for higher FSI would be examined after discussions.
Farmers told the CM they would fully cooperate with the second phase of land pooling and are forming an Amaravati Development Association. They appealed for awareness programmes to help farmers understand FSI implications and said involving those who have not parted with land may help resolve pending issues.
Union Minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister Narayana, Tadikonda MLA Sravan Kumar, senior officials from Municipal Administration and CRDA, and the Guntur Collector attended the meeting.