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The Hindu

CPI(M) demands scrapping of G.O. 137 allotting land to Lulu Group in Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly opposed Government Order (G.O.) 137, which allots valuable government and APSRTC land to the multinational conglomerate Lulu Group. In a statement issued on Monday, CPI(M) State Secretary V. Srinivasa Rao demanded the immediate cancellation of the G.O., calling it a threat to small and medium businesses and employment in the State. He said the G.O. facilitates the allotment of 13.83 acres of prime government land in Visakhapatnam and 4.15 acres of APSRTC land in Vijayawada to the Lulu Group for commercial development, including the construction of a Lulu Mall. 'The government, which is supposed to protect public sector assets, is now surrendering them to corporate entities under the guise of development,' Mr. Srinivasa Rao alleged. He took strong objection to the 99-year lease granted on nominal terms, describing it as virtually handing over the land for free. He warned that the entry of large multinational retail firms like Lulu would deal a severe blow to small and medium-scale traders, many of whom are already struggling. 'The retail sector is already reeling from the entry of corporate giants. Encouraging such firms will lead to massive job losses and the closure of local businesses,' he said. Mr. Srinivasa Rao urged the State government to reconsider its decision, revoke G.O. 137, protect public assets, and take proactive steps to support small and medium businesses.