Book Land-Grabbers In PD Act: Telangana CM

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has directed officials to take tough action against the land-grabbers who have encroached upon government lands in Hyderabad and its outskirts.

The Chief Minister issued these directions while addressing a high-level review meeting at the State Secretariat on Thursday.

He said that all land grabbers should be booked under the Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (PD Act) irrespective of their position and party affiliations.

He directed the officials not to spare any land grabber even if he belonged to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi.

Stating that lands worth crores of rupees were under illegal occupation in Hyderabad, he directed the officials to begin action against the land-grabbers immediately.

The Chief Minister said that all encroachments on government lands, nalas, tanks and other places should be removed instantly.

However, he said that some migrant labourers and poor people had constructed their huts on government lands and nalas, and that the government would consider issuing them pattas or rehabilitating them at other places.

He said that while the government would consider the rehabilitation of poor people who have occupied government lands, the professional land-grabbers would not be spared.

KCR said that the land-grabbers had encroached upon the government lands using fake stamps, stamp papers and certificates. He said that thousands of such cases were pending in various courts.

While directing the officials to expedite the disposal of such cases, he wanted them to act tough against those who were staking fake claims on government lands.

He alleged that the previous government ignored and even promoted the land-grabbers. Due to this, the situation had turned so bad that there was no land available for the government to construct its own offices.

He said that exemplary action should be taken against the encroachers. And individuals who had constructed houses on government lands should seek regularisation, else tough action would be taken against them.

The Chief Minister also announced constitution of a committee led by Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma and comprising officials of the revenue department and the Hyderabad District Collectorate to study the status of government lands.

The Committee would conduct a meeting on December 9 to student the extent of government lands in Hyderabad, encroachments, cases and illegal constructions.

He also directed the committee to suggest new laws to prevent encroachment on government lands.

He said that the government would issue an ordinance to protect its lands in the city. He also asked officials to suggest revisions to the Building Regularisation Scheme and Lay Out Regularisation Rules.

KCR also directed the officials to construct 50 night shelters for the migrant workers and those living on the streets.

The review meeting was attended by Finance Minister Etala Rajender, Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma, CMO Secretary Narsing Rao, Hyderabad Collector Meena, Ranga Reddy District Collector Sridhar, Joint Collectors, RDOs and other officials. (INN)