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Our Bureau

Hyderabad , June 8

CORPORATES would soon be permitted to acquire wastelands in Andhra Pradesh for community welfare purposes. The legal and financial aspects are being examined in allowing the corporate sector, under a new draft policy of the State Government, which plans to make use of available, unarable Government and private wastelands.

The idea is to involve unemployed youth, self-help groups (SHGs), farmers and corporations to take up horticulture, industrial and agri-farming. The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, wanted the draft policy to be ready by June 20.

At a review meeting with senior cabinet minister and officials of the concerned ministries, Dr Reddy said a Committee headed by the Special Secretary, Revenue, Dr V.P. Jauhari, would evolve the comprehensive policy.

To begin with the Chief Minister wanted at least 15 lakh acres of unarable and wastelands to be take up. Youth Clubs, unemployed youth groups, SHGs should be encouraged to get funds from banks and financial institutions and utilise the land.

Out of the 100-lakh hectares of wastelands, 50 per cent could be used for bio-diesel and other plantations. The balance could be developed in a phased manner over the next 5-10 years, officials told the Chief Minister.

Dr Reddy directed that all Podu cultivation in forestlands should be replaced with horticulture and agro-based crops. Two lakh acres should be transformed this year for the benefit of the tribals, he added.

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