Nara Lokesh distributes land titles to 3,000 residents in Mangalagiri

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh distributed permanent land ownership titles to nearly 3,000 beneficiaries from Mangalagiri and Tadepalli mandals at a public meeting under the “Mana Illu, Mana Lokesh” programme at Mangalagiri near here on Tuesday (July 21, 2026).

Mr. Lokesh said the distribution fulfilled one of his election promises, to give permanent ownership rights to eligible residents. He recalled that after the 2019 Assembly election, people had repeatedly sought legal rights over the lands they had occupied for decades.

“I had assured them that while it was not possible to regularise all lands immediately, I would fulfil the promise within five years if elected to power. Today, that assurance has been honoured,” he said. The Minister said the beneficiaries had lived for years with uncertainty over the security of their properties, fearing eviction. With the issuance of permanent titles, they would now have legal ownership and could use their properties as assets, including for obtaining bank loans. The total value of the lands covered under the programme is around ₹1,000 crore, he said.

Reflecting on his political journey, Mr. Lokesh said his defeat in the 2019 Assembly election by about 5,300 votes had motivated him to work harder to win the confidence of the people. He said he had appealed to voters before the 2024 election to convert that margin into a victory by “adding one more zero”, and expressed gratitude that the people had given him one of the top three victory margins in the State. "The strength and trust given by the people of Mangalagiri continue to inspire me to work harder," he said.

Highlighting development works in the constituency, Mr. Lokesh said underground drainage, 24-hour drinking water supply, parks and modern crematoriums were being developed. At the State level, he said the coalition government had implemented welfare measures such as the enhanced ₹4,000 social pension, Talliki Vandanam, Stree Shakti and Anna Canteens.

He said the government was simultaneously pursuing welfare and development despite financial constraints.

According to him, when the coalition assumed office, government expenditure far exceeded revenue. Through efforts to attract industries and restart stalled projects, the gap had narrowed, enabling the government to move towards fulfilling all election commitments.

Central support

Mr. Lokesh also spoke of the cooperation between the Telugu Desam Party, Jana Sena Party and BJP governments at the State and the Centre. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending support to Andhra Pradesh, citing assistance for the Visakhapatnam Railway Zone, the Polavaram project and Amaravati, and granting statutory backing to the capital.

He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for their support in the State’s development, and reiterated that the government’s focus was on creating employment opportunities for the youth while ensuring balanced development and welfare.

Emphasising transparency in the land title distribution process, Mr. Lokesh said leaders of the three alliance parties had visited beneficiaries’ homes to verify eligibility and ensure that only genuine beneficiaries received the titles.

State Padmashali Corporation chairman Nandam Abaddaiah, Jana Sena leader Chillapalli Srinivasa Rao, and senior TDP leaders Pothineni Srinivasa Rao and Vallabhaneni Venkata Rao, among others, attended the programme.