The Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) staged a protest outside the AP Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) office on Thursday opposing the sale of open spaces in the Urban Development Authority (UDA) layout in Payakapuram.
Addressing the gathering, CPI(M) State secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao said that the State government was requested to stop the sale of open spaces meant for public utility. “The State government is selling away the lands under the pretext of developing Amaravati. But, the sole intention is to fill the coffers. The CRDA has thrown the development of Krishna and Guntur districts (pre-reorganisation) to the winds. It is unfortunate that the CRDA, which is supposed to protect the lands, is planning to sell away the lands at throwaway prices. The cost of the land is nearly ₹200 crore. The CRDA wants to hand over the same to private companies. The CRDA authorities are requested to stop the e-auction of the same,” Mr. Babu Rao alleged.
The CPI(M) leader said that the then Urban Development Authority developed the layout in 1993. The open spaces were provided for schools, parks, theatres and hospitals. The open spaces were earmarked as per the rules.
