VIJAYAWADA: The high court has directed Polavaram project authority to file an affidavit stating details of measures taken for rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced families. The court also directed the state government not to demolish houses without awarding the R&R package.
The division bench of Chief Justice AK Goswami and Justice Ninala Jayasurya heard the PIL filed by NGO Shakti alleging that the government is forcefully evacuating colonies adjacent to the project. KS Murthy, counsel for the petitioners, said the government is filling water in the coffer dam and families residing in flood-affected areas are being forced to move.
The petitioners submitted to the court that both the state and the Centre are ignoring the R&R package. They sought action against the Polavaram project authority for lapses in rehabilitation of displaced families. The court, after directing the governments to focus on R&R package, posted the matter for hearing to August 23.
