The CPI(M) has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to safeguard tribal rights by impleading the government in the case pending in the Supreme Court on the Scheduled Areas Land Transfer Regulation (1/70), ensuring its strict implementation and issuing an alternative G.O. to replace G.O. No. 3.

In a letter to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said the government’s assurance on protecting tribal rights was inadequate as it had not intervened in the Supreme Court case challenging the 1/70 Regulation.

He alleged that the government violated the spirit of the regulation by allowing private companies to establish pumped storage projects in Koyyuru, Hukumpeta and Ananthagiri mandals of Alluri Sitharama Raju district. It also alleged that the Centre, with the State’s support, permitted private firms to collect soil samples for proposed bauxite and other mineral exploration in Chintapalli and G.K. Veedhi mandals.

The CPI(M) leader said the government had failed to fulfil its election promise of issuing an alternative order to G.O. No. 3 to provide employment opportunities for tribal youths. It also alleged delays in granting Forest Rights Act land titles, inadequate drinking water and road connectivity in the Agency areas, and incomplete houses under the PM Janman scheme for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

He further claimed that only 21% of the families displaced by the Polavaram project had received rehabilitation benefits, and alleged that rehabilitation colonies lacked basic amenities.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao urged the Chief Minister to announce concrete measures on the 1/70 Regulation, G.O. No. 3, Special DSC recruitment, Forest Rights Act land titles, and Polavaram rehabilitation during his proposed visit to Rampachodavaram on July 24.

Published - July 21, 2026 07:53 pm IST