The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) demanded that every person who reached the age of 18 in the villages displaced by the Polavaram project be given a rehabilitation package. The party also called for a judicial inquiry into alleged irregularities and corruption in the project by a judge.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday (March 8), CPI(M) State Secretary V Srinivasa Rao said the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), tabled in the assembly, confirmed several concerns the party had expressed over the years regarding the project.
There was widespread corruption in the project, where huge sums of public money were misused and contractors benefited from irregular payments. Referring to the diaphragm wall component, he said the CAG report had cited a loss of nearly ₹2,000 crore due to delays and lack of proper precautions during construction.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that about 38,000 displaced families were identified in the first contour of 41.15 meters, of which about 22,000 were included after persistent struggles by the CPI(M). Citing the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he demanded that every person above the age of 18 be given compensation and rehabilitation benefits.
He further claimed that the rehabilitation of displaced families is progressing slowly, with only about 11-13% completed so far. Basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, schools, healthcare and anganwadi centers were still missing in many rehabilitation colonies, he said.
The CPI(M) leader also slammed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s statements on population policy, terming them anti-women and asserting that the decision to give birth should remain a woman’s right.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao greeted the International Women’s Day and urged the government to fulfill the promises made to women, including financial assistance and land allocation promises before the elections.
Published – March 8, 2026 7:35 PM IST
