MLC urges talks on Jindal land issue

Member of AP Legislative Council, Indukuri Raghu Raju, on Thursday asked the government to conduct more public meetings with villagers to get to know their views regarding the land acquisition for the establishment of Jindal South Aluminium Limited project in Kothavalasa of Vizianagaram district.

He said that recently, the government received as many as 198 petitions from locals who demanded compensation at prevailing market rates as the company had not constructed anything since 2007.

Mr. Raghu Raju criticised the officials for hurriedly organising a meeting in Godavari village on Wednesday without giving wide publicity about the meeting. He said that over 500 farmers were willing to share their grievances if the government would hold meetings with them. 

AP Rythu Sangham district vice-president urged the government to return back the acquired lands to farmers, citing the company’s failed to construct the industry over the last 18 years. He also demanded action against the company for cutting the trees on the farmers lands.