AP CM for "pooling" system to procure land for new capital

Andhra Pradesh government will procure land from farmers for setting up new capital city in Vijayawada region through "land pooling" but will also keep the acquisition route open, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here today.
"The land for construction of new capital would be taken from farmers under land pooling in which farmers will have a share after the development (of capital) instead of compensation. Land pooling would be beneficial for farmers and the government would take up an awareness campaign for the same," Naidu said here.
He was addressing reporters after launching the 'Swachh Bharat' (cleanliness drive) and four other programmes.

Naidu also said that if farmers do not come forward to accept land pooling, the government would go for the land acquisition process.
"In that case (acquisition), the state government will compensate farmers for their land by paying them at four-time the prevailing market rate," he said, adding that the process of setting up infrastructure for the new capital between Vijayawada and Guntur cities will commence very soon.
He said that his government has actively taken up the issues like waste management, sewerage water treatment and traffic congestion in these two cities considering that a large number of people are expected to migrate there.

Naidu later inaugurated 'Janma Bhoomi' programme which is aimed at settling local issues with active participation of the people concerned and government officials.

Other schemes he launched today are 'Neeru Chettu' (water tree) aimed to create awareness on the proper usage of water and planting saplings in every household and institution in the state, 'NTR Sujal Sravanthi' under which 20 litres of drinking water will be supplied to people for Rs 2.
Naidu also introduced 'enhanced public pension scheme' for senior citizens, widows and physically handicapped.
Under the scheme, the pension amount is raised to Rs 1000 a month from Rs 200 for senior citizens and for physically handicapped from Rs 500 to Rs 1500 per month.

Meanwhile, Naidu has extended his greetings to people on the eve of 'Vijaya Dashmi' festival. "I wish that people of Andhra Pradesh enjoy a happy and prosperous life," he said.