From Our Correspondent
Amaravati: CRDA Commissioner Kanna Babu on Tuesday assured that a dedicated meeting with the Amaravati Farmers’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) will be held on the third Saturday of every month to resolve issues raised by land-pooling farmers within the capital region.
The Commissioner, along with Additional Commissioner Bhargava Teja, met farmer representatives at the CRDA office to explain the status of the notified draft plan, implementation of the integrated capital master plan, and the guidelines governing roads, canals, reservoirs, greenery, walking and cycling tracks, power lines and drinking water pipelines.
Farmers raised 14 key demands on behalf of the JAC, including issues related to village boundary lands and nearly 150 acres of Jareebu lands in Gram Kanthas, Abbarajupalem, Dondupadu and Borupalem. They also pressed for an increase in the Floor Space Index (FSI) beyond the existing 2.8, demanding it be raised to 5, or at least 3.5.
Kanna Babu said some issues had already been resolved and others were under examination by the three-member committee, which met recently. He said the committee still has pending items and will meet again on December 21 and 22, where “some issues are likely to be cleared.” He added that JAC representatives would be invited if necessary.
On farmer complaints that grievances were being ignored and petitions were being discarded, the Commissioner pushed back, saying he had personally visited villages to understand problems on the ground. “If we are engaging directly with farmers in villages, how can there be any doubt about our intent to resolve issues?” he said.
Responding to demands for higher FSI, Kanna Babu cautioned that enhancing it could create complications and disputes with builders. He promised to explain the implications in detail in a follow-up meeting.
He also confirmed that the Amaravati Gazette notification will be sent to Parliament in December, and said legal objections raised by the Law Department are being addressed.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Kanna Babu said all farmer grievances will be taken up systematically and resolved in the monthly interactions.