The compensation was not received despite waiting for five years with bated breath during the previous Jaganmohan Reddy regime to the Polavaram displaced people. Jagan’s promise of paying an additional Rs 10 lakh per acre has also fallen on deaf ears.
However, finally the joy of the Polavaram project displaced persons has known no bounds as the coalition government has now released the funds without any fanfare or fuss. They are elated as the compensation money has been flowing into their bank accounts since Friday bringing Sankranti celebrations days in advance.
The tribals are expressing joy as a total of Rs. 996 crore has been deposited in their individual accounts so far. Naturally, when such a huge amount is paid as compensation, the government takes up a big program and gives advertisements in the newspapers. But the coalition government led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu did not go for fanfare.
The matter was not known until the banks sent messages stating that the funds had been deposited in the bank accounts of the displaced persons. They are celebrating after seeing the messages, saying that they have received money for all these years. Even this surprising payment of compensation makes even ministers shocked.
Government sources said that Minister Lokesh was also surprised when the Finance Department revealed that a total of Rs. 996 crore was paid to the beneficiaries under the relief and rehabilitation. It is said that Lokesh cited this single incident as an example of the performance of the previous government and the governance of the coalition led by Chief Minister Chandrababu.
It may be recalled that Jagan had visited the Polavaram project floodplain area as Chief Minister during the floods in the previous government. At that time, the victims expected him to make a clear statement on compensation. But Jagan made comments that he would pay compensation only if the Center provided funds, otherwise he would do nothing.
This left the displaced people shocked. The state government has to pay Rs. 174.53 crore to the construction companies for the work undertaken in connection with the Polavaram project, Rs. 235.53 crore for land acquisition, Rs. 586.73 crore for relief and rehabilitation, that amounts to a total of Rs. 996.50 crore.
The state finance department deposited a total of Rs. 821.97 crore into the accounts of the displaced people under land acquisition and rehabilitation programs for two days from Friday to Saturday. With this, a festive atmosphere is visible in the homes of the displaced people before Sankranti.
Meanwhile, the previous YSRCP government had understated the compensation figures for TDP sympathizers. Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has ordered the officials to correct these figures.
