In a significant relief to farmers, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to return 2,180 acres of ‘award lands’ acquired for the Kakinada Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to their original owners, while waiving stamp duty and registration fees.

The move fulfils a key election promise by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan (Panchayat Raj and Rural Development), who personally intervened to resolve the long-pending dispute. The decision benefits 1,551 farmers from the coastal mandals of Thondangi and Uppada Kothapalli.

Following Pawan Kalyan’s discussions with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Revenue Department’s Principal Secretary was directed to register the lands in farmers’ names without any charge.

The lands, originally acquired for SEZ development, will now be restored to the farmers, allowing them access to benefits under schemes such as Rythu Bharosa, along with eligibility for bank loans and use of land for family and educational purposes—issues they faced earlier due to unregistered ownership.

Under the previous YSRCP government, though GO No. 12 was issued to facilitate the return, implementation was stalled at the field level, leaving farmers unable to secure ownership or government support. After receiving multiple petitions from affected farmers, Pawan Kalyan pledged to resolve the issue and has now delivered on that commitment.

The matter gained renewed attention when Government Whip Pidugu Hariprasad raised it in the Legislative Council, citing how the lack of registration prevented farmers from obtaining state aid and financial access.

The orders were issued on Tuesday, marking prompt action by the TDP-led NDA government. Expressing gratitude, Pawan Kalyan thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad for supporting the decision to bring long-awaited relief to SEZ farmers.