The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] demanded that every person who has completed 18 years of age in villages displaced by the Polavaram Project be provided a rehabilitation package. The party also called for a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge into alleged irregularities and corruption in the project.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday (March 8), CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), presented in the Assembly, had confirmed several concerns raised by the party over the years regarding the project.
Large-scale corruption had taken place in the project, with huge amounts of public money being misused and contractors benefiting from irregular payments. Referring to the diaphragm wall component, he said the CAG report indicated a loss of nearly ₹2,000 crore due to delays and lack of proper precautions during construction.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that within the first contour level of 41.15 metres, about 38,000 displaced families had been identified, of which around 22,000 were included after sustained struggles by the CPI(M). Citing the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he demanded that every individual above 18 years of age be given compensation and rehabilitation benefits.
He further alleged that rehabilitation of displaced families was progressing slowly, with only around 11–13% completed so far. Basic facilities such as drinking water, electricity, schools, healthcare and anganwadi centres were still lacking in many rehabilitation colonies, he said.
The CPI(M) leader also criticised the population policy remarks of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, calling them anti-women and asserting that decisions on childbirth should remain a woman’s right.
Extending greetings on International Women’s Day, Mr. Srinivasa Rao urged the government to fulfil promises made to women, including financial assistance and land allotment pledges before the elections.
Published – March 08, 2026 07:35 pm IST
