Legislative Council Floor leader Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, on Friday, appealed to Governor E S L Narasimhan to direct the state government to recover lands allotted to industries in the tribal areas.
Talking to media persons at Raj Bhavan after submitting a memorandum on land allotments, he alleged that tribal lands have been allotted to mining companies and others who are violating rules and regulations in the Agency areas of Visakhapatnam district.
He said that 1,100 acres of land in Visakhapatnam district, and 20,000 acres in Araku Valley, have been allotted to private companies, violating norms.
Stating that the government had allotted the lands without taking the tribals' opinion into account, he said that the tribals are vehemently opposing the government's decision, for violating their rights and damaging the environment.
He said that he had appealed to the Governor to interfere in the issue as a constitutional head, and to take steps to protect the wealth of tribals.
He also appealed to the Governor to order a probe into the
Comptroller And Auditor General's report which indicted the state government on land allotments.
He said that the Governor had responded favorably to the TDP delegation's appeal, and that he had assured it that action would be taken.
TDP MLA Motkupalli Narasimhulu slammed the government for allotting tribal lands in the name of Special Economic Zones.
"Who has given the government permission to allot lands to private firms without taking the consent of tribals?" he asked.
The delegation consisted of Jaipal Yadav, G Nagesh and other TDP leaders.(INN)