Lokesh defends 99-paise land allotment for IT cos
Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council witnessed heated exchanges on Thursday as ruling and opposition members clashed over the state government’s decision to allot land to select companies for 99 paise. However, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh strongly defended the policy, saying it was a pro-jobs initiative.
During Question Hour, YSRCP members P Ravindra Babu and Varudu Kalyani raised concerns over land allotments to corporate and real estate firms, including Raheja, in Visakhapatnam. Leader of the Opposition Botsa Satyanarayana alleged that lands worth thousands of crores were being handed over to select companies at throwaway prices without transparency.
He claimed that while the same firms purchase land in neighbouring states at market rates, they were being allotted vast tracts in Andhra Pradesh for just 99 paise. Botsa further alleged that land worth Rs 5,000 crore had been given to a company linked to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s relatives. Responding to the allegations, Nara Lokesh said allotting land for 99 paise to reputed firms was part of the government’s industrial policy aimed at generating employment for youth. He clarified that only five companies - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant, ANSR Global, Raheja, and Motherson International - had been allotted land under this policy.
Lokesh also stated that the allocations were made following due process, including scrutiny by officials, the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), and approval from the Cabinet. He denied claims that land was allotted to any other company, including one named by the opposition, and challenged YSRCP members to provide evidence.
He argued that such policies were necessary to compete with neighbouring states and build an IT ecosystem in Visakhapatnam. Citing the example of Gujarat offering land at nominal rates to attract Tata Nano, Lokesh said similar strategies help create employment and industrial growth.
Minister Atchennaidu also defended the move, stating that offering land at concessional rates was aimed at boosting investments and creating jobs.
Lokesh accused the previous YSRCP government of driving industries away and said the present administration had attracted several projects within 18 months. He reiterated that job creation, not revenue maximisation, was the government’s priority.
Dissatisfied with Minister Nara Lokesh’s response, YSRCP members staged a walkout in protest.
