Demolitions in Velugumatla Bhoodan lands completely legal: district Collector

Khammam Collector Anudeep Durisetty said the demolitions on Bhoodan lands in Velugumatla were legal and carried out as per court orders. He stated that land worth over Rs.250 crore was saved and action was taken against illegal occupants

Khammam: Collector Anudeep Durisetty on Wednesday said the demolitions and acquisitions undertaken by the district administration on Bhoodan lands in Survey Nos. 147, 148 and 149 of Velugumatla village were completely legal.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said while 31 acres and seven guntas of Bhoodan land were under occupation, the total value of the land concerned was estimated to be more than Rs.250 crore. The government was able to save the property by taking possession of it as per the CCLA and Telangana High Court orders, he claimed.

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A lunch motion petition was filed in the High Court against the demolitions carried out on February 24, but the court rejected it. A thorough investigation by the Bhoodan Yagna Board and the Revenue department has revealed fake documents and illegal allocations. Criminal cases have already been registered against several people and legal action was under way, Durisetty stated.

He said the government had taken possession of the remaining land, excluding the structures where the High Court has given stay orders. The acquired land would be used for public needs in future, he said, adding that the government would take appropriate steps to provide justice to the deserving families among those who have lost their houses.