In a major relief to farmers affected by the long-pending Kakinada SEZ land issue, the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has decided to return 2,180 acres of acquired land to the original owners.
On Tuesday, the special chief secretary of the revenue department issued a formal order instructing authorities to re-register the awarded lands in the farmers’ names.
Importantly, officials have been directed not to levy registration or stamp duty fees for these transactions.
The decision is expected to benefit 1,551 farmers from Uppada Kothapalli and Thondangi mandals of Kakinada district — areas that were heavily affected by land acquisition for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) years ago.
The decision fulfils a poll-time promise made by Jana Sena Party president and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan to the displaced farmers.
Recently, Pawan Kalyan visited Pithapuram constituency, where he reviewed local administrative progress and reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice for SEZ farmers.
Acting on his assurances, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and revenue minister Anagani Satya Prasad cleared the proposal to restore the lands.
Pawan Kalyan expressed gratitude to both the chief minister and the revenue minister for fulfilling the promise made to the farmers.
The decision is being hailed locally as a landmark in the government’s farmer-friendly approach, signalling the administration’s intent to rectify past injustices tied to industrial land acquisitions.