There seems to be no end to the thirst for land of Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
He is finding ingenious ways of knocking away precious land for his party and its leaders on one pretext or the other.
In the latest episode, Naidu government issued a GO a couple of days ago, allotting land liberally to political parties in the new capital of Amaravati.
One might say he is not showing any favouritism, as he is allotting land to all the political parties; so, there is nothing to blame him. But there is a catch.
According to the GO, a political party which has 50 per cent or more than the number of seats in the Assembly will get four acres of land in the capital region and two acres in district headquarters.
Parties which have less than 50 per cent and more than 25 per cent seats in the Assembly will get land up to half acre in capital region and 1,000 square yards in districts.
And those parties which have less than 25 per cent of seats in the Assembly or having at least one MLA or MLC, will get 1,000 square yards in the capital region and 300 square yards in district headquarters.
If somebody doesn’t understand it, here is more explanation. Going by the GO, the ruling TDP will get four acres of land in Amaravati and two acres in districts. In the case, the YSR Congress party which is the main opposition and has got more than 25 per cent and less than 50 per cent of seats in the Assembly should get at least two acres in Amaravati and one acre in districts. But it will get just half acre and 1,000 square yards.
What is shocking is that the land will be allotted for a period of 33 years initially, which can be extended up to 99 years. And what is more shocking is that more government will collect a lease amount of only Rs 1,000 per annum for the land for 99 years!
What a way to loot public money?
