Tadepalli: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s alleged attempts to claim credit for land surveys have been vehemently criticized by former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. In a press conference held at the YSR Congress Party camp office on Thursday, Jagan accused Naidu of attempting to misappropriate the achievements of the land resurvey conducted during his tenure, highlighting recent developments in the state that reflect the government’s failures.
Jagan stated, “If there is anyone on this earth who can commit credit theft effectively, it is Chandrababu Naidu. Even a chameleon that changes colors for survival would be embarrassed in front of him. The level of deceit being practiced is appalling.” He noted that despite being in power for over a year and a half, Naidu has shown no intention to address the issues faced by farmers, instead attempting to take credit for the land resurvey initiated during the 2019-2024 period.
The YSR Congress leader recalled that the idea for the land resurvey came to him during his padyatra, where many farmers expressed their grievances. He emphasized that at that time, the state lacked surveyors and the necessary technology to conduct land surveys. “When I came to power, I promised a comprehensive land survey in my 2019 manifesto, and I fulfilled that promise by launching the initiative on December 21, 2020,” Jagan explained.
He ridiculed Naidu’s lack of innovative ideas for farmer welfare, accusing him of merely categorizing lands under a prohibited list rather than offering solutions. Jagan posed a pointed question to Naidu, asking, “Has the idea of a comprehensive land survey ever crossed your mind, Chandrababu? Have you ever heard of it, seen it, or done something about it?”
According to Jagan, the comprehensive land survey conducted in Andhra Pradesh was a monumental achievement, executed transparently and without disputes. He mentioned that the government had prepared land records that cannot be altered and had provided permanent ownership documents to landowners. Furthermore, he highlighted the integration of modern features like QR codes in farmers’ passbooks.
Jagan elaborated on the various revolutionary measures he undertook as Chief Minister for public welfare, including the construction of secretariats in villages and the recruitment of staff to support these initiatives. He noted that a record number of 40,000 personnel had been mobilized to ensure the success of the land survey, with agreements made with the Survey of India to provide training in modern technology.
In a significant development, he stated that for the first time, surveys were conducted using drones, providing survey stones free of charge to farmers, with the phrase “Land Survey – Land Protection” inscribed on them. He asserted that the surveys were precise, with a margin of error of no more than five centimeters, and that the government did not hesitate to invest Rs. 6,000 crores in this effort. The central government recognized this work with a platinum grade and a Rs. 400 crore subsidy, as announced in Parliament in December 2023.
Despite the accolades, Jagan criticized Naidu for continuing to claim credit for the land survey conducted under his administration, stating that numerous states and central government agencies have praised the initiative. Officials from Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra have also studied the survey, with commendations from the Survey of India and NITI Aayog.
Jagan also addressed the role of the media, accusing what he termed as “yellow media” of playing a negative part in the narrative surrounding the land survey. He indicated that during elections, farmers were intimidated regarding the land survey through IVRS calls, and now, Naidu seems keen to attribute the credit for the survey to himself with misinformation.
In closing, Jagan questioned the sustainability of Naidu’s claims, stating, “How long can the truth be hidden? Chandrababu claims surveys without any stones. The process being followed demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of what a survey entails. We are spending Rs. 15 crores to eliminate old survey stones, showing that this government is undermining the extensive objectives we set for land surveys.”
