Andhra Farmers Demand Cancellation of Land Allotment for TDP Office, Protection of Research Station
Farmer and civil society organisations in Andhra Pradesh's Nandyal district have called for the cancellation of two acres of land allotted to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for constructing its office in the Noonepalle Market Yard. The groups also demanded the relocation of a temporary Collectorate office that currently operates within the premises of the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), arguing that both actions undermine agricultural infrastructure and services meant for farmers.
The demand was made on Friday (June 26, 2026) during a programme organised by the Rayalaseema Irrigation Protection Committee. At the event, leaders unveiled a motivational song titled “society is the temple...people are the God,” written and composed by the committee president, Bojja Dasaratha Ramireddy.
Speaking at the programme, leaders emphasised that the government has a constitutional duty to safeguard and strengthen public institutions established for farmers’ welfare, rural development, and agricultural research. They expressed concern that the land in the Noonepalle Market Yard—originally intended for farmer-centric services such as storage, marketing, and banking—was being diverted for political party purposes. The allotment, they argued, violates the principle that public assets should primarily serve the public interest.
Similarly, the groups opposed the continued functioning of the temporary Collectorate office within the RARS campus, stating that it disrupts agricultural research and extension services. The research station, they noted, is a key institution for developing crop varieties and providing technical support to farmers in the Rayalaseema region. Using its land for administrative purposes, they said, undermines its core mission.
The organisations urged the state government to cancel the land allotment for the TDP office and instead use the space to expand facilities that directly benefit farmers. They also called for the immediate relocation of the Collectorate office to an alternative site and the restoration of the RARS to full-fledged functioning.
Leaders clarified that the campaign was not directed against any political party but was a democratic movement aimed at protecting public assets and strengthening institutions. They appealed to farmer organisations, people's groups, democratic forces, and political parties to unite in safeguarding public properties.
Among those who attended the programme were the committee's vice-presidents Yerram Shankar Reddy and Eruva Ramachandra Reddy, and other members.
The issue highlights a broader debate in Andhra Pradesh about the use of agricultural land and public infrastructure for political and administrative purposes, with farmer groups increasingly asserting their rights to resources meant for rural development.
