Amaravati farmers appeal to ADB, World bank

Two farmers from Mandadam village in the Amaravati Capital Region have launched a high-stakes appeal to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, accusing the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) of forcibly and illegally attempting to seize their farmland. The farmers claim the authority is bypassing established legal procedures and violating international safeguards designed to protect landowners.

The complaint was filed by Pasupuleti Jamalaiah (74) and Kalapala Sarath Kumar, who own small plots of 0.40 and 0.30 acres respectively in Survey No. 225/1. They assert that they never gave their consent to participate in the government's Land Pooling Scheme (LPS), a program under which farmers voluntarily surrender their land in exchange for compensation and developed plots.

According to their detailed submission, the conflict came to a head on September 5, when APCRDA officials, accompanied by a commissioner and a team of workers, arrived at their land with bulldozers. The farmers allege that the officials dismantled the fencing around their property and informed them that the land had been illegally transferred to a private entity, GV Estates and Hotels, for a commercial hotel project—all without their consent or any form of compensation. The farmers have submitted video evidence of this incident to the international agencies to support their claims.

Their attempts to seek local legal recourse were allegedly blocked. When they tried to file a police complaint at the Thullur police station on September 9, they were reportedly denied the opportunity and instead advised to surrender their land to the scheme. In a plea for justice, they sent letters to 15 senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary and Home Minister, alleging bias and a complete lack of due process.

The farmers' appeal argues that the actions of the APCRDA constitute a clear violation of key international standards, including the ADB's 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement and the World Bank's 2018 Environmental and Social Framework. Both policies strictly prohibit forced land acquisition and mandate fair, transparent, and voluntary participation. In their impassioned letter to the international bodies, the farmers wrote, “We will lose our land, jobs, and respect if you don’t help,” urging the agencies to intervene and protect the rights of those who chose not to participate in the pooling scheme.