Compensate Polavaram Oustees: Y S Jaganmohan Reddy

"The Polavaram project is, of course, important for the progress of the State and its people. But providing adequate relief and rehabilitation to tribals affected by it equally important," YSR Congress Party President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy opined.

Addressing a gathering of tribals and Polavaram oustees at Rampachodavaram on Wednesday as part of his two-day tour of the Agency area in East Godavari district, the YSR Congress supremo said that tribal lands were being forcibly acquired with zero compensations. Polavaram was possible only because of the sacrifices of the tribals, and so they should be recognised for it. The YSRCP would continue to fight for their rights, he added.

Reddy said that though three years elapsed since N Chandrababu Naidu took over as the Chief Minister, he had done nothing for the people. Naidu had no empathy for tribals or the farmers who would lose their lands, but certainly empathize towards Polavaram contractors.

He elicited opinions from the tribal people and the general public on the delay in providing relief, and they replied alleging that no houses were built for them after being displaced, against what was promised.

Taking this up, the Leader of Opposition claimed that only 125 houses were constructed, and that too during ex-CM Y S Rajashekar Reddy's regime. Not even an acre of land was given to the oustees, he claimed.

He assured the people that his party would fight for the rights of the tribals and the poor.

"Two years later, a people's government would be formed and tribals would get an R & R package on par with Amaravati and Pattiseema," he added.

Claiming that Naidu lose the next elections, Jagan said, "Three years have elapsed so far, and two years down the line, a people's government would be formed and tribals would get an R and R package on par with Amaravati and Pattiseema project."