Following the State government’s multiple notifications to acquire land in Karedu in Ulavapadu Mandal and Ramayapatnam in Nellore district for Indosol Solar Private
Limited’s solar module manufacturing plant, those opposing acquisition of such an unnecessarily large extent of land campaigned against it in various villages on Wednesday.
Functionaries of the Human Rights Forum (HRF) and Rashtra Cheneta Jana Samakhya (RCJS) went around several villages of Karedu expressing solidarity with the villagers opposing this land grab. Addressing small street meetings and distributing pamphlets, they explained to the local people about the unnecessity of acquiring such large extent of land when a fraction of that is amply enough. They have also pointed out the absurdity of government facilitating a private company that has no track record whatsoever in
taking up such a crucial, complex and humongous project. The people have also expressed their angst against the government attempting to acquire their irrigated muticropped land which is their life and livelihood.
The campaign has also highlighted the government’s undemocratic decision to waive off the consent and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) requirements for this project. The
legal standing of this waiver is on shaky grounds given that such waiver can only be done “in the public interest”, they said. Except private gain for a private company,
one is hard pressed to find any public interest in this project. They have pointed out the irony of destroying the delicate ecology of the region in the name of decarbonising
effects. This proposed project involves silica processing, which has been established as highly toxic and polluting.
They have also questioned the government‘s largesse to the Indosol company to the tune of around 45000 crores which is a staggering 60 percent of the total proposed
investment. This is nothing but socialising costs and privatising profits, they said.
They demanded that the government immediately call off this project.
Among those who participated in the campaign were HRF Sate general secretary Y Rajesh, Secretary G Rohith, RCJS president M Mohan Rao, Mallikarjun of RCJS and others.
Villages covered in the campaign were – Karedu, Kotha Palli Palem, Tenkayachetla Palem, Alagayapalem, Alagayapalem Palli Palem, Marri Chetla Sangham, Katthi Kotaiah Sangham, Aaku Thota Sangham, Balakotaiah Sangham.
Y Rajesh (HRF Andhra Pradesh State general secretary)
G Rohith (HRF Andhra Pradesh State secretary)
M Mohan Rao (RCJS State president)
Karedu,
16.07.2025