Telangana to auction 550 acres in Miyapur, use proceeds for irrigation projects: Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad: A day after the Supreme Court ruled that 550 acres of land in Miyapur belonged to the State government, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced that the land would be auctioned and the proceeds utilised to complete irrigation projects and take up other development works. The Chief Minister said the Supreme Court had delivered a landmark verdict, declaring that the Miyapur lands, valued at nearly Rs 50,000 crore, belonged to the State government.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Revanth Reddy said the Cabinet sub-committee constituted for resource mobilisation would examine the proposal to auction the valuable lands. “The recommendations of the sub-committee will be discussed in the Cabinet before taking a final decision. We intend to sell these valuable lands and utilise the proceeds for irrigation, education, healthcare and other development works,” he said.

Defending the government’s proposal, the Chief Minister said leaving the lands vacant could expose them to encroachments. Hence, the government wanted to auction the lands and utilise the revenue for public welfare programmes. He also appealed to the opposition BRS to cooperate with the government in this initiative.

Revanth Reddy said officials had been instructed to immediately take possession of the lands and erect fencing to prevent encroachments. They were also directed to identify any constructions that had come up on the lands. Further action would be taken based on their findings, he said. The Chief Minister accused the previous BRS government of deliberately facilitating encroachments on valuable government lands in different parts of the State.

In contrast, the Congress government had taken measures to safeguard government properties soon after assuming office. Officials representing the State had presented a strong case before the apex court, resulting in the favourable verdict, he maintained.

“Since coming to power, our government has protected lands worth nearly Rs 1.50 lakh crore. This reflects our commitment to safeguarding public properties,” Revanth Reddy said.

Continuing his attack on the previous government, he alleged that attempts had been made to facilitate encroachments on government lands in Kancha Gachibowli and Mamidipalli. However, the Congress government fought legal battles and succeeded in protecting the lands, he claimed.

Similarly, attempts were made to encroach upon forest lands in Gurranguda, while the government had protected about 143 acres from encroachments in Manchirevula, he said.

The Chief Minister further alleged that 400 acres of forest land in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district had been handed over as a “gift” to an MLA who had defected to the BRS.

Referring to land surveys in Shivar Venkatapuram and Erravelli, Revanth Reddy said officials were conducting a survey of 388 acres under Survey No. 325. Of this, 345 acres had been identified, while efforts were continuing to identify the remaining 45 acres.

“Once the remaining 45 acres are identified, housing plots will be allotted to Telangana martyrs, and the government will also construct houses for them,” he added.