Land controversies mount for Congress government in Telangana

The Congress government in Telangana has faced criticism over its land acquisition, auctions and plans to utilise government properties. Fresh opposition has emerged over proposals involving TGSRTC land and polytechnic college properties, while stakeholders have urged the government to consult them.

Hyderabad: Since the Congress government came to power in 2023, it has faced severe criticism over acquiring farmers’ lands, auctioning government lands and making plans to utilise government properties for various purposes.

Several of the State government’s initiatives have been mired in controversy, particularly over its unilateral decisions and plans. From Lagacherla and Kancha Gachibowli to colonies along the Musi riverbanks and the proposed Future City, the government has faced criticism over its focus on acquiring and utilising large parcels of land.

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Amid the controversy over the inclusion of several private properties under the prohibited 22-A list, the State government has triggered another row with its plans to utilise lands belonging to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) and polytechnic colleges.

The government is planning to allot six acres of prime TGSRTC land at RTC Crossroads to the Housing department for the construction of Indiramma Towers. The proposal has drawn strong criticism from RTC unions.

“The government should construct houses for the poor and needy, but that does not mean it can divert RTC lands. Previous governments allotted lands to the corporation to meet its future requirements. If these lands are diverted for other purposes, the corporation may not even have enough space to park its buses in the days to come,” said a member of the RTC Employees Union.

The government’s proposal to allot RTC land to the Housing department has also raised questions as it had earlier assured employees that the corporation would be merged with the government.

“Instead of fulfilling the promises made to RTC employees, the government is eyeing the corporation’s vast land holdings,” the union member said.

Similarly, the Telangana Polytechnic Joint Action Committee has alleged that the government is attempting to divert large parcels of land owned by polytechnic colleges for commercial development under the aegis of the Young India Skills University (YISU).

The committee said using these lands for commercial purposes would leave colleges without adequate space to establish laboratories, research and development centres and other infrastructure. It alleged that this was one of the objectives behind the government’s plans to merge polytechnic colleges with YISU.

Interestingly, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, while serving as TPCC president in 2021, had strongly opposed the then BRS government’s plans to auction government lands.

Contrary to those objections, however, the Congress government has since auctioned several plots owned by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). Now, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is also preparing to auction its lands, primarily to generate revenue for the government.

Irrespective of the purpose, the State government should discuss its plans with the stakeholders and take them into confidence. If RTC unions or polytechnic staff and students have any apprehensions, the government should clear them and protect their interests, said Forum for Good Governance president M Padmanabha Reddy.

“Development is welcomed but the government needs to follow a procedure and cannot take unilateral decisions,” he said.