The Andhra Pradesh government has finally carried out its threat. It has invoked the Land Acquisition Act in the new capital region.
There is no way out now for the farmers who are unwilling to part with their lands as the Act confers sweeping powers on the government to acquire agricultural lands.
However, Municipal Minister Narayana was the very epitome of magnanimity as he said, “The farmers can still opt for land pooling. It’s up to them. They can opt for whatever they want. Government will not force them to opt for land pooling.”
This is indeed the height of duplicity. The Minister is making it appear as if there is a choice for the farmer.
What choice does the farmer have? He wants to till his lands, but there is absolutely no way he can do that. Having taken an autocratic decision, the government is talking democratic nonsense.
It’s like a man unfairly sentenced to death being given the option of choosing between hanged to death or shot by a firing squad. He wants his life to be spared, Minster ji.
