Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu took a decision, likely to end a four-decade-long dispute between the locals of five villages and the Simhachalam temple trust board. State govt decided to transfer 610 acres of land in lieu of 12,149 houses to the temple. The houses were built on lands belonging to the temple, which spread across five villages, famously known as ‘Pancha Gramalu‘.
The dispute was pending for about 40 years between the people who set up permanent residences by building homes on temple lands for generations. As the temple trust board retained ownership, it became a contentious issue and remained so for a long time. Though subsequent govts tried to resolve the issue, a workable solution was not found. Finally, state govt convinced the temple trust board to take alternative land, which is equally valuable.
In a review meeting with revenue and temple officials, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to file an affidavit before the court, where multiple litigations were pending, informing about the consensus arrived at by all the parties to the litigation.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, minister for revenue, registration, and stamps, Anagani Satya Prasad, announced that the Pancha Gramalu issue will soon be resolved. He said that govt has decided to regularise 12,149 houses in the five villages. Moreover, the State agreed to transfer 610 acres of govt land worth around 5,300 crore to the Simhachalam Devasthanam.
“Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, the hereditary trustee of the Simhachalam Devasthanam, also agreed to the proposal,” he said.
Moreover, Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasarao mentioned that approximately 420 acres of Simhachalam Devasthanam land was encroached upon, with about 12,149 houses built on it. Previous govt issued GO No-229 to regularise these houses and decided to provide 420 acres of govt land elsewhere, along with the regularisation fees to the Devasthanam.
However, some individuals approached the court, demanding land equivalent to the value of the encroached Devasthanam land.
