Andhra Pradesh government issues guidelines for land pooling scheme-II, retains LPS-I norms

Time of India

11 hours ago

Vijayawada: In an ambitious move to take over another 40,000 to 45,000 acres of land for the capital city construction, the state government has unveiled the guidelines for the Land Pooling Scheme-II (LPS).
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The government has already conducted grama sabhas in Tadikonda and Pedakurapadu constituencies to implement LPS-II and has set the groundwork for the formal launch of the scheme.
The government has hinted at acquiring additional land for the construction of an international airport, a sports city, and smart industrial zones. Despite lingering apprehensions among farmers who had parted with their land during the first phase of LPS nearly a decade ago, the state is preparing to expand the capital city into new areas adjacent to the already declared capital region covering 29 villages.
The government has decided to retain most of the rules from LPS-I in the new phase. "In keeping with the will of the government to build a 'people's capital' and to support the required infrastructural projects like airports, ports, and other developments, the land procurement mechanism has been designed as a voluntary scheme based on mutual consensus between landowners and the state," said principal secretary S Suresh Kumar.
"The LPS has been conceptualised for developing the capital region."
He stated that LPS is a better scheme than the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. According to the guidelines, 10 per cent of the land will be reserved for parks, playgrounds, gardens, and open spaces; 30 per cent for roads and utility services; 5 percent for social infrastructure like schools, health centers, and community facilities; and 5 per cent for affordable housing.
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The remaining land will be shared between the landowners and the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). If the pooled land is earmarked for infrastructure such as airports, the landowners will receive their returnable land in a nearby, single, designated sector.
The government has assured that roads, electricity, water supply, stormwater and rainwater drainage, and communication networks will be developed in the layouts designated for the farmers.
Additionally, the government will provide a pension of Rs. 5,000 per month per family for 10 years to all landless poor families who lose income from agricultural work. Farmers engaged in agriculture and holding a pattadar passbook and title deed will be eligible for a one-time agricultural loan waiver of up to Rs. 1,50,000 per family for loans existing prior to the enforcement of these rules, regardless of the type of crop.