Chandrababu Naidu Misused the APIIC To Benefit the Corporate Cronies

Its not a secret that Chandrababu Naidu was the most corrupt chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the country too. The CAG report clearly pointed the finger at the blatant misuse of funds and power by Chandrababu Naidu. Everyone knows that his 4 years rule wasfull or corruption scams. Scams were so common during his rule, and land scams were the most popular ones. If he were called the king of corruption, it wouldn’t be wrong. Who is 420 in AP? Read the details and you will know it.

Andhra Pradesh has seen so many land scams during the Naidu govt from 2014 to 2019. In one such land scam, the TDP govt led by Naidu misused the Andhra Pradesh IndustrialInfrastructure Corporation initiative, to give the lands to companies in outright sale.

The rule of handing over the ownership of the land is to first give it on lease and then sell it. But the Naidu govt allowed outright sell of the land instead of leading the property. The scams like this compelled the people to ask the most burning question – who is 420 in AP? Don’t be surprised when you hear his name more often than not, as answer to the question.

What is Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation?

The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd or the APIIC is an initiative taken by the Andhra Pradesh Government to provide infrastructure to the sate via development of industrial areas. It came into being in 1973 and was meant to identify and developing key areas in the State. It meant to create growth centers across the state complete with developed plots, roads, water, power, drainage and other important infrastructural facilities.

Several major projects were undertaken by the APIIC, such as the HITEC City, now in Telangana, Sricity,Visakha Industrial Water Supply, Gangavaram Port, ConventionCentre and Mega Industrial Parks at Parawada.

It was a noble initiative until the Naidu govt ruined its credibility and reputation with his decision to allow outright sale of the lands. Who is 420 in AP? You can tell by the decisions taken by the TDP govt.

How Naidu Misused APIIC

The standard rule was to give land under APIIC on lease for 33 years and then sell it by following the procedure. But, Chandrababu Naidu first increased the lease from 33 years to 99 years. Then to further appease the corporate cronies, Naidu brought the concept of outright sale to forgo the lease period. This was completely done to make things easier for the companies.

To give the companies the land they wanted, Chandrababu Naidu use the APIIC to first grab the lands of the poor framers at low price and then sell it to the companies. What he had to gain? The kickback that the TDP govt get from such deal is the reason behind the corruption.

The Naidu govt used the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) to give the lands to the corporate immediately without going through the lease period.

Warnings Were Ignored

There were people who cared for the state and the people and they opposed the move. But Chandrababu Naidu didn’t pay any heeds to it. Many senior bureaucratsincluding Chief Secretary opposed the move and expressed concern about the misuse of the land. Nevertheless, the Naidu govt went with the decision and even amended the industrial policy.

The TDP govt had announced that theState Investment Promotion Board has approved the plan of outright sale of the land. This came after the companies told the govt that projects cannot be started without owning the land. Leasing was more expensive than owning the land, since they would get the land at a very low price. Naidu simplified things for them by introducing the concept of outright sale of the land to the companies.

After the announcement, companies queued up to buy lands. It was a festive season for them. The APIIC sold 69.56 acres of land to 4 phone companies at the rate of Rs. 20 lakh per acre, 19.28 acres to another cell phone company, 15 acres to another phone company. In a very short time, the TDP govt had sold the lands to its corporate cronies.

Taking Away the land from the Farmers

Most of the land belongs to farmers who are poor and without any means of income. The TDP govt took away the lands of the poor farmers paying them in peanuts. Even under the SEZ, companies can lease the land and not buy it. But Chandrababu Naidu had no such regard for the laws. He allowed the companies to buy lands outright without leasing it.

The poor farmers lost their land and got little money or compensation. On the other hand, the Naidu govt enjoyed the kickbacks it got. They sold the high-priced land at low cost while enjoying the kickbacks it got from the corporates. This was the scenario during the rule of Chandrababu Naidu.

The Bottom-line

When you look at the various land scams in the state, you know who is 420 in AP. Naidu govt looted the land, money and people of their faith. It was no surprise that the TDP lost so badly in the state election of 2019. People were simply done with him and his party. They had enough of the corruption and indifference by the Chandrababu Naidu govt.

Read Previous Blog: Involvement of Chandrababu Naidu in The AgriGold Scam

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