As we all know, the AP state government has been very keen on collecting the lands of farmers on 'Land Pooling' scheme to build a new smart capital city. Under this 'Land Pooling' scheme, the farmers who hold dry land will be awarded 800 yards of residential plots and 100 yards of commercial plots per acre while those holding wet lands will be awarded 1000 yards of residential plots and 200 yards of commercial plots per acre. The government will pay an yearly rent of Rs. 30, 000 for dry lands and Rs. 50,000 for wet lands for 10 years. The compensation being offered for those giving up their land works out to just Rs. 80 per day, which is completely unjustifiable in the face of complete loss of livelihood.
Under this 'Land Pooling' scheme the government has acquired around 20,000 acres of land out of targeted 30,000 acres. Unfortunately, the farmers who have completely depended on farming will have to lose their livelihood. Do they have to migrate to new smart city and live without shelters in slums? Why is there necessity disrupting fertile lands for this unnecessary project?( capital city). The government needs to answer these questions.
Though the idea of efficient smart cities looks amazing on papers, but in reality there are high chances of corruption and misuse of funds. Moreover, the government has readied to shell in thousands of crores on the capital city and subsequently there will be scarcity of funds for other welfare programs, projects and to pay salaries to employees. Is CBN trying to mortgage the state to gain individual popularity gaining more political mileage? The AP government and CBN should answer these questions.