*Largest land scam of looting Visakhapatnam Lands*

Visakhapatnam, March 22: YSRCP Visakhapatnam District President K.K. Raju stated that Visakhapatnam is witnessing a massive land grab under the direct patronage of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, calling it the biggest land scam in the history of united Andhra Pradesh. He said government land worth nearly Rs. 5,000 crore has been grabbed by GITAM University, linked to TDP MP and relative of the Chief Minister, and illegal constructions are being carried out openly while officials remain completely inactive.

He said around 54.49 acres of prime government and assigned land in the heart of Visakhapatnam is being regularised for GITAM University through backdoor decisions, without any discussion in the GVMC council. The proposal was pushed through the council agenda and approved undemocratically despite ongoing court cases and strong public opposition. He said an MP has used political power to control the system and push through these illegal decisions.

K.K. Raju said GITAM management has removed government boards that clearly marked the land as public property and has begun large-scale levelling and construction works using heavy machinery. Even after complaints from hundreds of citizens and representations made to the district collector, no action has been taken. The collector claiming ignorance despite construction going on for over two weeks clearly shows the level of official support behind the land grab. He said the silence of officials indicates large-scale corruption and misuse of power, and questioned whether they are acting under political pressure or for monetary benefits.

He said the GVMC Commissioner has completely failed in his responsibility to protect government assets, remaining silent even as illegal constructions continue without permissions. Continuous media reports have also been ignored, exposing total administrative failure.

K.K. Raju said this is not limited to GITAM alone, and that valuable lands across Visakhapatnam are being handed over to bogus companies at throwaway prices. He questioned how 30 acres can be allotted at just Rs. 0.99 per acre to a company with minimal capital and barely 40 employees under the pretext of large investment claims. He said companies like Ursa, Sattva, Kapil and Lulu are being used as fronts to divert thousands of crores worth of public land.

He stated that Visakhapatnam is being looted by land vultures under the coalition government and called on the people of North Andhra to unite and resist this large-scale land plunder. He demanded immediate stoppage of illegal constructions at GITAM University and recovery of encroached government land. He also made it clear that officials who supported these illegal activities will be identified and brought before the law.

K.K. Raju said YSRCP will launch a massive public movement along with intellectuals and civil society to protect North Andhra from land grabbing, and warned that every illegal activity will be exposed before the people.