World Bank seeks one month time to decide on Amaravati land probe 

World Bank had earlier visited the capital city after allegations that the land was forcibly acquired from the farmers by the government.
World Bank (File photo| AP)
World Bank (File photo| AP)

VIJAYAWADA: A World Bank inspection panel, which had recommended a probe into the charges of forcible land pooling against Andhra Pradesh government for construction of capital city Amaravati, has now sought six months time to decide if a probe is required or not.The State government sought $300 million loan from the World Bank for construction of Amaravati. Meanwhile, following allegations that land was being forcefully acquired from the farmers by the government, an inspection panel of World Bank visited the capital city villages in September to look into the complaints.

On September 27, in its report, the inspection panel had recommended an investigation into the allegations levelled by farmers and alleged non-compliance with bank policies, especially relating to involuntary resettlement.Two months later, the bank management submitted to the panel an addendum offering clarification, an update on project preparation and additional actions to ‘complement and clarify’ the actions presented on July 21.

The management indicated the addendum was based on the recent field missions and discussions with the panel. “Based on the addendum and proposed actions, the panel deferred its recommendation for up to six months as to whether an investigation is warranted. The board on December 12 approved the panel’s decision to defer its recommendation and report back to the board in the next six months,” the World Bank said on Thursday.

“During their previous visits, we have clearly explained to them about the situation here and how it will impact various aspects,” G Kanaka Rao, Rajdhani Bhu Porata Samithi member However, neither Municipal Administration Minister nor CRDA officials were availablefor comment.

‘Government unto its own’
Amaravati will be a “government unto its own”, with the electors having the unique power to “recall” elected representatives and even government staff.This, and several other unique aspects of the capital region, has been revealed in an “expert pre-read (document) on governance matters” prepared by the AP Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). 

The document was circulated at the two-day Deep Dive Workshop on Amaravati development, organized by the CRDA here. “The elected representatives and staff of the metropolitan government shall be answerable to electors for performance and delivery, failing which there will be a provision of recall,” the document reads.

‘No elected body’
CRDA report further adds that there wont be an elected body to govern the capital to begin with as the AP government proposes to constitute Amaravati City Council as a nominated body in the period “when the city gets  populated”. An elected council will come into place once Amaravati area acquires a “critical population mass”, it says. “There will be a gradual transition to Unified Metropolitan Local Government which will cover the capital region,” it further stated.

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