Non-Bailable Sentence For Lake, Canal Land-Grabbing

Encroachments of lands abutting lakes, water bodies and canals would attract penal action under the PD Act, Telangana Minister for Irrigation and Marketing T Harish Rao today warned.

Along with Transport Minister Mahender Reddy, Rao inaugurated a vegetable shop named "Mana Kuragayalu" (Our Vegetables) by the Agriculture Marketing Department at Bhandari Layout near Nizampet.

Speaking to media persons on the occasion, the minister said that complaints were received that some persons were trying to grab the lands of lakes and canals. The government would take stringent action against such elements, he said, with the encroachers thrown behind bars and not able to get bail for three years.

Talking about the vegetable stores being started by the government, he said, "We are launching these shops (Mana Kooragayalu) to ensure that the prices of vegetables in the markets are under control. Fresh vegetables procured from farmers are being shifted to these shops, and the people can get them at minimum prices. This will help both the farmers and the people."

The minister also launched a similar vegetable shop at Farm Meadows at Kompally of Qutbullapur mandal in Medchal district.