By Dr. Konanki Sridhar Chowdary
Dr. Konanki Sridhar Chowdary has raised serious concerns over the alleged treatment of farmers and landowners during electricity transmission works on privately owned agricultural land in Anantapur district. He has alleged that government officials and police entered his family’s ancestral patta land in Kammuru village of Kudair Mandal without proper prior information, consent or consultation with the landowners.
According to Dr. Chowdary, the first incident occurred on August 6, 2026, when officials allegedly entered the property in connection with electricity transmission infrastructure works. He alleged that locks and gates were broken, fencing was damaged and crops were affected during the operation.
Following the incident, Dr. Chowdary said he invited the concerned authorities for discussions, urging that the matter be resolved peacefully and democratically in accordance with the principles and constitutional framework established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. However, he alleged that the authorities did not agree to meaningful discussions.
He further alleged that after notices were issued, another major operation took place on the morning of August 26, 2026, at around 5:30 a.m. According to Dr. Chowdary, revenue and police officials, including the MRO, CI and VRO, along with police personnel, CRPF personnel and women constables, arrived at the property in large numbers.
Dr. Chowdary questioned the need for such a large deployment in connection with a dispute involving a private landowner. He alleged that the actions were carried out without obtaining the necessary signatures from the landowner on relevant applications or documentation and without completing procedures related to compensation.
He particularly questioned how work could proceed on privately owned patta land when, according to him, the landowner had neither signed relevant applications nor received compensation through properly completed documentation.
Dr. Chowdary strongly rejected any suggestion that he was opposed to electricity transmission infrastructure or the installation of towers. He said he had never objected to the installation of a transmission tower, maintaining that his demand was only that every affected farmer should receive fair treatment and lawful compensation.
“I have never said that a tower should not be installed. Install one tower or even ten towers, but justice must be done to every farmer,” he said, expressing concern that his demand for fair compensation and equal treatment had allegedly been interpreted as opposition to the project.
A major issue raised by Dr. Chowdary relates to the differences in compensation offered to farmers. He questioned why there appeared to be significant variations in compensation for transmission towers and electricity lines in different areas. According to him, compensation of around ₹12 lakh for a permanent transmission tower has reportedly been paid or disclosed in certain cases, while farmers in the Anantapur district were allegedly being offered only around ₹3.50 lakh to ₹3.96 lakh.
He has demanded complete transparency regarding how compensation is calculated and distributed. Dr. Chowdary questioned whether every farmer whose patta land is being used for transmission infrastructure is receiving the amount legally due to them.
Speaking about his continued fight for farmers’ rights, Dr. Chowdary said that his struggle has always been guided by the constitutional principles laid down by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
“We have moved forward according to Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution in the past, and we continue to do so today. In the future as well, our struggle will remain firmly within the constitutional framework and will continue until justice is ensured for farmers,” he said.
Dr. Chowdary expressed hope that justice would ultimately prevail. He said that people are watching these developments closely and that the issue would have implications beyond the present dispute.
“The people are watching. This struggle is also important for the future. We firmly believe that truth and justice will ultimately prevail,” he added.
The issue, he said, is not limited to one family or one piece of land. It raises a broader question about the rights of farmers, transparency in compensation and the manner in which government authorities and companies engage with private landowners.
Calling for Justice for Farmers, Dr. Chowdary urged the concerned authorities to respond to the questions raised and ensure a transparent and lawful process for every affected farmer.
“I am not against development. My only demand is justice for every farmer whose land is affected. Democracy and the Constitution must protect the rights of ordinary citizens and farmers,” he said.
— Dr. Konanki Sridhar Chowdary
Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh
