In a move that’s attracting eyes, generating debates, and aglow on Telugu Twitter, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly given 21 acres of prime real estate to IT behemoth Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for a mere 99 paise!

Yes, you heard it correctly. Not ₹99… not ₹99,000… but symbolic 99 paise, as per a recent report by Desi Muchatlu. So, what is the tale behind this headline-making move? And is this a master move for technological advancement or a contentious land giveaway? Let’s dissect it.

What Exactly Happened?

In his stint as CM, Naidu had given 21 acres of land from the government to TCS in the capital city of Andhra Pradesh for a token rent of 99 paise per annum. The action was touted as part of his broader initiative to make Andhra Pradesh an IT and innovation hub, similar to Cyberabad in Hyderabad, which was itself created under his guidance in the early 2000s.

This new land allocation was intended to persuade TCS to establish operations, training facilities, or innovation centers, thus creating jobs and infrastructure within the region.

The Strategy Behind the Symbolic Pricing

The “99 paise” isn’t any old number — it’s a symbolic gesture, commonly utilized in government deals to denote strategic collaborations wherein the emphasis is on future economic returns, not cash returns in the near future.

According to sources, the goal was simple:

✔Attract global technology players

✔ Provide local youth with thousands of jobs

✔ Drive urban development around and in the region

Naidu’s group has consistently stressed a “build-it-and-they-will-come” approach , where connectivity, infrastructure, and large players are introduced first to encourage additional investments.

But Why the Backlash?

Critics say that prime government land should not be given away for symbolic prices, regardless of the size of the company. Opposition leaders and social media users questioned the lack of transparency and whether the public gains from such deals.

“Is this development or daylight robbery in the name of IT growth?” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Others have likened it to other similar past choices — some of which worked, some of which did not — and are calling for clear terms, employment guarantees, and accountability regarding how such valuable land is used.

TCS’s Side of the Story

Although TCS has not issued a public announcement regarding the terms of the lease, the company has traditionally collaborated with governments to develop IT infrastructure and skills training initiatives. In the event of this project going down the same path, it might entail digital skilling programs for thousands of young people, BPO work, or R&D campuses — possibly changing the economic profile of the region.

What This Means for Andhra’s Tech Dream

Whether you call this visionary leadership or questionable governance, the truth is , Andhra Pradesh requires big-ticket investment to lure talent and generate jobs.

Naidu’s vision to follow Hyderabad’s Cyberabad with such incentives can initiate growth in otherwise underdeveloped areas. But the true triumph is not in token leases , but in follow-through:

• How many jobs will be created?

• How soon will operations begin?

• Will local communities benefit?

Only time (and some honest auditing) will tell.

Final Thoughts

The title is startling — “Naidu gives 21 acres to TCS for 99 paise!” — but it leads to a more profound debate about how governments entice private behemoths and the actual cost of development contracts.

Is it a daring wager on growth in the future or an action that should be more open to public debate? One thing’s certain — Andhra politics news and technology aspirations just got much more exciting.