Andhra Pradesh government would invoke the Land Acquisition Act if the owners do not agree to part with land under the land pooling system for construction of the new capital between Vijayawada and Guntur, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Saturday.

Naidu chaired a meeting with members of the Capital Advisory Committee here and said a special officer would soon be appointed to oversee the land pooling. Collectors of Guntur and Krishna district have been entrusted with the responsibility, along with respective legislators, of convincing landlords on land pooling.

Interestingly, the government has now announced that only 30,000 acres of land would be needed to build the new capital city. Previously, the Capital Advisory Committee had said one lakh acres were required.

The time for construction of the capital has also been revised from three to five years. Of the total land to be acquired, 50 per cent would be earmarked for creation of common assets. Land owners would be paid incentive of Rs 25,000 per annum per acre for a period of 10 years, with a five per cent hike every year.

They would also be exempted from payment of stamp duty, registration fee and other charges, it was decided at the meeting.

A land pooling certificate that would confer transferable rights on the developed land would be issued to the owners after notification of the layout. Landless poor, who might lose livelihood due to land pooling, would be imparted training for upgrading their skills and securing alternative employment.

- PTI