The MAVIGUN proposal by former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy envisions a decentralised model for Andhra Pradesh’s capital functions, distributing administrative roles across multiple cities to promote balanced regional development. The idea has found support among sections of economists, urban planners, and constitutional scholars.
Yet amid this broader ideological debate, a quieter yet far more serious issue has resurfaced: the controversy over assigned lands in the Amaravati capital region.
The Core Allegation
In the Amaravati region, it is alleged that over 1,400 acres of assigned land, valued at approximately ₹5,500 crore, have been encroached upon. The issue has triggered strong political reactions, with opposition leaders accusing former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for MA&UD P. Narayana, other former Ministers and their benamis of facilitating illegal occupation of these assigned lands by pressuring owners to sell the lands at low prices.
The Amaravati capital region spans several villages in Thulluru mandal of Krishna district, including Mandadam and Venkatapalem. Historically, certain parcels of land in these areas were classified as Reserved Forest lands, later reassigned before 1954 under categories such as AWD (Assigned to Widows/Dependants). As per government norms, such lands are to be treated as patta lands (private ownership). However, allegations suggest that these lands were subsequently misclassified, treated as assignable and unlawfully transferred or encroached upon.
2015 Land Pooling and Legal Concerns
Following the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the government led by Telugu Desam Party initiated the Amaravati capital city project. A Land Pooling Scheme was launched in 2015, under which farmers voluntarily contributed land in exchange for developed plots and annuity payments.
Of which approximately 1,396 farmers participated, allegedly classified as assigned lands. Under the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, assigned lands cannot be sold, transferred, or alienated. Critics allege that 41 survey numbers falling under this category were nevertheless pooled, converted, or transferred in violation of the law.
Legal Proceedings and FIR
An FIR registered in December 2021 names Chandrababu Naidu (A1) and Nara Lokesh (A2) among the accused. The case invokes multiple legal provisions, including IPC Sections 420, 409, 508 (fraud, criminal breach of trust) and Sections under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 .Petitioners allege misuse of official position to benefit politically connected individuals and private interests.
Survey Numbers and Missing Records
Several survey numbers including 420, 409, 508, 166, 167, 217, 120, among others, have been cited as part of the disputed assigned lands.Adding to the gravity of the issue, key land assignment records are reportedly missing from government offices. The Tahsildar’s office has confirmed that original files could not be traced, raising concerns about potential tampering or destruction of official records.
Scale of the Issue
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Assigned land allegedly encroached | 1,400 acres |
| Estimated market value | ₹5,600 crore |
| Assigned survey numbers cited | 41 |
Political and Legal Status
The controversy continues to remain politically sensitive. With the Telugu Desam Party returning to power in 2024, the case has entered a complex phase, with allegations of political influence and counter-allegations of vendetta. Court proceedings are ongoing, and the matter remains sub judice.
Conclusion
While the debate over decentralisation versus a single capital continues to dominate headlines, the Amaravati assigned lands issue raises deeper concerns about land governance, legal compliance, and accountability in large-scale public projects.
