KCR Happy With Land Drive, May Give Staff Incentives

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed satisfaction over the land records clean-up program going on as per schedule and in accordance with the aims and objectives of the state government.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting on Friday at Pragati Bhavan on the progress made in the Land Records Purification and Updation program, which was launched on September 15. Land Records Purification Mission Special Officer Vakati Karuna apprised the Chief Minister of the progress made in the first week and how the work was going on.

The CM complimented the revenue officials by saying that the work they were doing by painstakingly going from house to house to cleam up and update the revenue records was invaluable. He also hinted at giving some incentives and rewards to the revenue staff involved in the program.

The Land Records Purification program was taken up in 10,875 revenue villages under 568 mandals. For this, 1,468 teams were set up. It was decided to take up the purification of records in 1.78 crore Survey Numbers having 75.54 lakh accounts spanning 2.45 crore acres. In the first phase, land records of undisputed lands in 1,252 villages were taken up. These villages have 30.04 lakh acres of land. Of these, records for 11.55 lakh acres were examined, and land ownership rights were clarified and ascertained for 9.48 lakh acres (82.10%) with the acceptance of the farmers. Which land belonged to whom was also established.

Objections, complaints and suggestions on other lands are also being elicited as part of the program. They will be taken up in Part B of the program. Part A will be completed by December 31, and Part B will begin then, when ownership of another 10% of land records is expected to get clarified.

All District Collectors are personally supervising the program. Special control rooms have been set up in Hyderabad and in the districts. Information has been given to the people on whom to contact in the control rooms. Pamphlets and booklets are also being distributed to clear the frequently asked questions and doubts. The social media is also being used to create awareness among the people and farmers, with a special Facebook account having been opened for the program.

Each team on an average has been given nine villages. The team will stay in the village for 10 days to examine and purify the records. As part of the program, the teams are also examining, purifying and updating the records pertaining to government lands and other land categories. The officials have chalked out a plan by which NRIs can send their land records for rectification and purification without needing to come down. The guidelines for this will be finalized in the next four days.

The CM said, "The land records updating and purification program has been going on very well, and land-related issues which have remained unresolved for years together are being resolved. Clarity on land ownership will be a great relief to the farmers. Revenue officers and staff are making the program a great success with their hard work. Not caring for the hot sun and the rains they have been moving from village to village. I convey my hearty compliments to all of them. The government will certainly recognize their services and will provide special cash incentive and rewards. Getting clarity on more than 82% of land is a welcome feature. Clarity is coming without any litigations. We are getting news that in certain villages there is even 100% clarity. In Part B there will be even more clarity. With regards to lands to the tune of about 5%, since there are court litigations, the government will decide on them subject to court verdicts. Once the Part A is over passbooks will be given for the lands on which there is total clarity. Input investment subsidy will be provided based on purification and updation of land records. In the first phase, Rs 4,000 per acre will be credited into farmer's account before May 15, 2018. The second installment of Rs 4,000 will be credited before October 15, 2018."