Andhra Pradesh assembly passes bills amending Assigned Lands Act, GSWS Act

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh assembly on Thursday passed 2 Bills amending the Assigned Lands Act and the GSWS Act. While the amendment to the Assigned Lands Act was brought in to enable the assignees to give their lands on long-term lease to clean energy projects, the amendment to the GSWS Act was introduced to change the names of Grama and Ward Sachivalayams to Swarna Gramam and Swarna Ward.The minister for revenue, registration and stamps, Anagani Satyaprasad, told the Assembly that the changes were aimed at supporting industrial growth, expanding employment opportunities for youth, and providing a stable additional income for assignees.Introducing the amendment in the House, the minister said renewable energy projects became essential for setting up industries and data centres, particularly in Visakhapatnam. He said the govt launched the country's first Green Hydrogen Valley at Anakapalle and a green ammonia plant at Kakinada.According to him, renewable energy proposals totalling Rs 10 lakh crore came to the state. If grounded, these projects were expected to generate employment for nearly 7.5 lakh people. He said certain clean energy projects require assigned lands, and the amendment would allow the govt to take such lands on lease with the consent of assignees.Satyaprasad said the move would support the coalition govt's target of creating 20 lakh jobs. The amendment, he said, would also help reduce the electricity cost burden on consumers. The govt already cut 13 paise per unit and plans further reductions as clean energy capacity increased, he said.The minister further said that the initiative aligns with the Swarnandhra 2047 vision aimed at achieving net-zero carbon levels. Assignees leasing their lands would get Rs 31,000 per acre as assured annual income. The lease amount would be revised every 2 years with a 5% increase. Many assigned lands are barren, and leasing them would provide additional income without affecting existing livelihoods, he said.