Former bureaucrat E.A.S. Sarma has penned a letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy, expressing his concern that the purported plan to relocate the families of fishermen residing in Peda Jalaripeta, involving various authorities including the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), is morally questionable.

In his letter, Mr. Sarma pointed out that certain reports in regional newspapers have alleged that officials from the GVMC and the VMRDA, possibly influenced by certain political figures, are providing assistance to an individual who asserts ownership of approximately 20.27 acres in Peda Jalaripeta, an area where numerous families of fishermen currently reside.

"It appears that, under a seemingly fabricated pretext that the relocation of the fishermen's families is unfeasible and, as a result, the land is required for developmental purposes, local authorities have proposed to compensate the individual asserting ownership by offering Transferable Development Rights (TDR).

The estimated value of these TDRs exceeds ₹2,500 crore, considering the current market value of the land,"  the former bureaucrat elaborated in his letter.

Mr. Sarma implored the Chief Secretary to step in and ensure justice for the families of the fishermen.