*Rs. 100-Cr temple land Slscam in Anakapalle: YSRCP demands CBI probe into Collector’s role*

Visakhapatnam, Feb 27: YSRCP leaders have stated that a massive Rs. 100-crore land scam in Anakapalle district, accusing the District Collector of illegally facilitating the transfer of endowment land belonging to the Kanyakaparameswari Temple to private individuals. Addressing the media at the YSRCP office in Visakhapatnam, former Minister and Anakapalle District Party President Gudivada Amarnath, along with former govt Whip Karanam Dharmasri and other leaders, demanded a CBI inquiry into all revenue decisions taken by the Collector over the past 20 months.

Amarnath stated that the 2.49 acres of land were donated in 1915 by Duri Kamamma for a Brahmin Satram and later came under the Endowments Department in 1971. After portions were acquired for a market yard, around 1.11 acres remained. Despite clear historical and revenue records, the Collector allegedly issued a report declaring the land as private property and recommended deletion from the prohibited 22-A list within days of the coalition government assuming office. YSRCP leaders questioned how such a sensitive file moved from Tahsildar to Collector in under two weeks, alleging undue pressure on registration authorities and bypassing the Endowments Commissioner, whose approval is mandatory for any such transfer.

They criticised that the Collector misusing authority, “the fence grazing the field,” and had a political patronage behind the decision. The leaders also highlighted other administrative failures, including non-payment of Rs. 36 crore dues to sugarcane farmers and inaction against private mills underpaying farmers by Rs. 500 per ton.

YSRCP warned that if a CBI probe is not ordered, the party will launch a legal and public agitation to safeguard temple lands. They questioned the coalition’s commitment to Hindu dharma, while leaders politicize temple issues like Tirumala Laddu, temple lands are being diverted. The party asserted that protecting public and temple properties is a collective responsibility and vowed to continue its fight until the alleged irregularities are investigated and corrected.