NRI Calls the Shots in AP Revenue Department?
Those who worked as IT advisors during the YSR Congress Party regime are now caught in the liquor scam. The coalition government in Andhra Pradesh also appears to have taken inspiration from the YSR Congress Party. This is because an NRI who has absolutely no connection with the Revenue Department has been given the responsibility of clearing some of the most crucial files in this department. However, it is being said that all this is happening unofficially. Because of this, he is now wielding influence in that department. In simple terms, officials in the department say that nothing is moving forward there unless this NRI Ravi gives his nod. The person who brought him into the picture is said to be one of the most important ministers in the Andhra Pradesh government. For some time now, there has been widespread talk in the department that he has been dealing with files related to 22-A lands as well as lands in urban areas.
The real issue here, according to one officer, is that even the officials holding the highest positions in the Revenue Department are telling people that their work will not be done unless it is conveyed through him. This itself explains the situation. Sources in the department revealed that staff in the offices of two key positions in the Revenue Department are even calling the people whose files have come to them and telling them whom to approach if they want their work to be done. Taking advantage of this, the NRI is now said to be involved in large land deals. Some deals have already been completed, while others are in different stages. A senior officer revealed that particularly for land clearances in areas such as Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Kakinada, they are following a new model.
Officials said that hundreds of crores of rupees are changing hands in this affair. Revenue Department sources said that this includes not only land files but also various kinds of NOC files. It is being widely discussed in the department that a minister currently holding a key position in the government had come to know him earlier when he arranged special flights during the minister’s foreign visits. Because of that, he has now become extremely influential in this government. An officer also said that details of the deals he carried out may come out soon. Another important point here is that the role of the minister of that department in the matter of clearing these files is said to be extremely limited.
