The Telangana Government has constituted a committee to inquire into alleged irregularities and other issues relating to lands in several villages across the State, including properties linked to former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, former Ministers K.T. Rama Rao, T. Harish Rao and other political leaders.

Commissioner of Collegiate and Technical Education A. Sridevasena has been appointed Chairperson of the committee, while Special Secretary to Government (Registrations and Stamps) Rajeevgandhi Hanumanthu will be the convenor. Jangaon Collector Sandeep Kumar Jha is a member. The Collector of the district concerned will also be a member while dealing with matters relating to villages in that district.

Discussion in Assembly

The committee was constituted following a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on September 16 on issues relating to Section 22-A of the Registration Act. The government said certain “grave irregularities” pertaining to lands in various districts had come up during the discussion and required further administrative action.

The task

The committee has been tasked with examining any violations of statutes, Acts, rules, government orders, and related instructions concerning the lands listed by the government.

Its terms of reference cover government, ceiling surplus, assigned, Jagir, Bhoodan, Inam, and forest lands, as well as land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement, water bodies and their catchment areas, and land records. It has also been asked to fix responsibility for violations and recommend appropriate action.

The 16 cases listed for inquiry include lands belonging to Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao, his family members and associates in Erravalli and Sivar Venkatapur villages of Siddipet district. The inquiry also includes lands belonging to former Minister T. Harish Rao and his family members and associates near Ranganayaka Sagar in Ramancha village, and another set of lands in Aziznagar of Moinabad mandal.

The list also covers the alleged purchase of assigned land in Survey No. 271 at Velikatta by M. Hanumantha Rao, a relative of Mr. Harish Rao and alleged irregularities in land acquisition for the Mallanna Sagar reservoir, including villages covered by the acquisition.

Other cases concern lands belonging to Satabisha Agro and other companies and individuals, allegedly purchased by family members and associates of Mr. Rama Rao in Janwada; lands belonging to former Minister G. Jagadishwar Reddy and his family members and associates in Maddur; and alleged purchase and illegal occupation of assigned land by former MLA P. Rohith Reddy in Aziznagar.

The committee will also examine allegations concerning the purchase and occupation of government land by former Minister Gangula Kamalakar and others at Bahadurguda, the alleged purchase of Bhoodan land by MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and others at Vattinagulapally, and allegations relating to Shankara Hills in the same village involving Mr. Kamalakar and others.

Regularisation of lease land of former MLC Elvin Stephenson at Secunderabad are among the other cases.

The inquiry will further cover alleged abuse of the Dharani module and other procedures by four companies – Raj Hitech Farms Pvt Ltd, Raj Poultry and Plantatation Pvt Ltd, Raj Poultry and Agriculture Farms Pvt Ltd and Manaviha Breeders LLP — represented by M. Hanumantha Rao, M. Suman and T. Mahesh Rao and their associates in Gunded village of Balanagar mandal in Mahabubnagar district.

Allegations of irregular purchase of assigned lands and allotment of government lands in Sircilla, Thangallapally and other mandals, as well as alleged irregular receipt of compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement packages relating to the Mid Manair Reservoir, are also part of the terms of reference.

The committee has been empowered to requisition records, documents, data, information, personnel and other resources from government departments, district administrations, local bodies and other authorities. All departments and authorities concerned have been directed to extend full cooperation and furnish the required information promptly. The committee has been asked to submit its report to the government expeditiously and may submit interim reports on specific issues.