Published Jul 22, 2025 | 6:37 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 22, 2025 | 6:37 PM
Godavari flood water at the Polavaram spillway. (Screengrab/ MEIL group/ X)
The Institution of Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh has once again reaffirmed its pivotal role in upholding citizens’ rights, particularly those displaced by large-scale development projects. In a recent intervention, Hon’ble Upa-Lokayukta Smt. P. Rajani ensured rightful compensation for families excluded from the Polavaram Project’s Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Package.
A common order was passed in complaint numbers 61/2019/B1 and 62/2019/B1, filed by Smt. Nallala Venkata Ramanamma and Sri Nallala Seshagiri, who had been unjustly left out of the R&R beneficiary list despite their homes falling within the affected zone. After detailed examination and follow-up, the Upa-Lokayukta directed the authorities to re-examine the claims.
In response, the Project Administrator and Ex-officio Joint Collector of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, Dowlaiswaram, submitted an action taken report. The report confirmed the inclusion of the complainants in the supplementary draft R&R scheme, payment of Rs. 6,36,000 and Rs. 25,000 to each of them, and allotment of house site plots.
Further, the government sanctioned Rs. 9.50 crore for the benefit of displaced families from Kummari Lova Village in Tuni Mandal (erstwhile East Godavari, now Kakinada district), enabling numerous affected families beyond the original complainants to receive their rightful entitlements.
This successful resolution—achieved through the proactive oversight of the Lokayukta Institution—marks yet another instance of timely redressal and strengthened administrative accountability.
