CM KCR launches podu land patta distribution in Asifabad

Nearly 1.5 lakh tribals will get rights to cultivate more than four lakh acres of podu land in forest areas across 26 districts in Telangana

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: In one of the most significant steps towards ending the decades-long struggle and misery of the tribal community in Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday formally launched the distribution of podu land pattas in the State and handed over documents to Adivasi beneficiaries at the newly inaugurated Integrated District Offices Complex in Asifabad.

Nearly 1.5 lakh tribals will get rights to cultivate more than four lakh acres of podu land in forest areas across 26 districts in Telangana.

---

Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, Chandrashekhar Rao announced that all the land pattas were being given in the name of women beneficiaries. More significantly, all the 1.5 lakh tribals will receive the Rythu Bandhu financial assistance of Rs.10,000 per acre with immediate effect, he said.

In Kumram Bheem Asifabad district alone, the State government is distributing 47,000 acres of forest land among the Adivasis. Due to legal issues, the distribution of the podu land pattas to non-tribals was getting delayed, he said, assuring that the non-tribal applicants who have provided proof that their families have been residing in Agency areas for the last 75 years, would also receive the podu land pattas upon getting clearance from officials concerned.

The Chief Minister also directed Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) RM Dobriyal and DGP Anjani Kumar to review and withdraw cases of forest land occupation registered against the tribals who received the podu land pattas.

He instructed the officials to immediately make arrangements to ensure three-phase electricity connections to agricultural lands in the forest areas. He asked them to draw the necessary amount from the ST Welfare Fund.

Amid Opposition parties repeatedly threatening to remove the Dharani portal upon getting voted to power, Chandrashekhar Rao emphasised the need to stop such attempts as it would have an adverse impact on the effective implementation of farmer-friendly initiatives like Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bima in the State.

He expressed apprehensions that the removal of the website would lead to land disputes, interference of middlemen and corruption, and urged the people to support continuation of the Dharani system.

Upon receiving a positive response from the audience, the Chief Minister said the Dharani portal has proven instrumental in facilitating various schemes like Rythu Bima and Rythu Bandhu, ensuring timely financial assistance to farmers and their families.

The success of these programmes has garnered the attention of farmers in neighbouring States like Maharashtra, who have expressed their desire to either have similar schemes implemented in their State or even merge their villages with Telangana.