Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VMRDA) officials on Saturday evicted allegedly illegal occupants namely Srikanya Fusion Foods Restaurant owned by Telugu Desam Party leader Harsha Kumar, located next to the VMRDA complex of Siripuram in Vizag.
Fusion Foods restaurant has been in place for decades, although the lease is only required for three years under government regulations.
The previous government of N. Chandrababu Naidu had issued orders granting permits from 2015 to 2024 to the Fusion foods, which was a clear violation of rules. It has to operate only for three years and then tenders are to be called for renewal, as per rules.
VMRDA officials took action on a complaint that Fusion Foods had been operating without obtaining fresh permits for nine years without complying with the regulations.
Harsha Kumar, who is known to be very close to TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, alleged that the hotel was vacated forcefully without any notice. He suspected political vendetta in this episode.
TDP Andhra president Acham Naidu criticised the government for “vendetta politics” and questioned how come the restaurant was vacated on Diwali when all officials were on leave that day. He alleged that the ruling party is looting Visakhapatnam.