Amaravati at Crossroads: Are Contractors Prioritized Over Farmers?

Is Amaravati truly the people’s capital of Andhra Pradesh, or has it become a slogan used only for political convenience? The farmers who gave away their fertile agricultural lands for the capital are now wondering whether the government is sidelining them.

On one hand, the government claims to have brought in large loans worth tens of thousands of crores for Amaravati’s construction and says that all works are progressing rapidly. But on the other hand, it has failed to take meaningful steps to address the concerns of the farmers who contributed their lands.

Going by the statements of the Amaravati Farmers Joint Action Committee, it is clear that these farmers feel injustice is being done to them. Although Chandrababu Naidu is currently pushing forward construction of key buildings worth thousands of crores, the farmers still doubt whether Amaravati has truly become the legally undisputed capital.

They are urging the government to enact legislation in Parliament officially declaring Amaravati as the capital. They want the state government to ensure that the capital bill is introduced in the ongoing Parliament sessions. This shows that the NDA government has not yet been able to instill complete confidence among the farmers.

Their concerns do not end there. The farmers point out that the previous government’s Three Capitals case is still pending in the Supreme Court. They are demanding that the case be withdrawn immediately. Even after one and a half years of the new coalition government taking charge, it is unfortunate that it has not understood the aspirations of the Amaravati farmers who played a crucial role in its victory.

The farmers are also demanding resolution of issues related to returnable plots allotted to them in capital villages, and immediate payment of pending annuity amounts to tenant farmers.

Many believe that if Chandrababu Naidu now takes up the genuine demands of the Amaravati farmers—who laid the foundation for his political success—and resolves them with sensitivity, trust between the government and the farmers can be restored.