‘Not a single yard of private land was added to 22A list’
Ponguleti
The controversy over properties classified under section 22A of the Registration Act has triggered confusion and hardships for landowners in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri and Sangareddy districts, where registrations of several private properties were stalled. With the issue emerging as a major political flashpoint, chief minister A Revanth Reddy and revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy have stepped in to resolve the grievances. In an interview with Koride Mahesh, Ponguleti explains how the problem arose, steps being taken to address it, and the govt‘s roadmap to prevent similar issues in the future.What lapses led to unrestricted private properties being included in the 22A prohibited list?I admit that certain administrative lapses created problems for property owners, and the state govt is taking steps to rectify them.There is some background to this issue. The govt had directed the revenue department to revise the prohibited properties list and forward it to the sub-registrar offices (SROs), as nearly 6,000 cases relating to prohibited properties were pending before the high court. In Sept 2025, Telangana high court directed the govt to prepare a fresh list, communicate it to the SROs, and place it in the public domain.The problem arose after the revised lists were circulated. In some cases, revenue officials forwarded the lists to SROs without verifying and updating the 22A records. As a result, private lands already regularised by previous govts through various GOs and memos, as well as plots cleared by the high court, GHMC and HMDA, were included in the prohibited list due to technical errors during the online uploading process. Officials should have rectified the issue by uploading GOs and memos relating to regularisations and allotments. That exercise was not completed properly.Several societies in Greater Hyderabad were registering properties until recently. Why were registrations suddenly stopped?In Greater Hyderabad, the issue was largely caused by discrepancies between town survey land records (TSLR) and GHMC ward and block numbers. The TSLR survey in Hyderabad district was conducted in 1969 and 1970, after which survey, ward and block numbers were assigned. Subsequently, the GHMC adopted a different system of ward and block numbering. While efforts were later made to synchronise the two systems, mismatches and errors resulted in some private properties being shown as govt land.There are also several cases where ceiling lands were exempted by the govt under different orders and GOs. These exemptions were not properly taken into account while preparing the fresh lists. Earlier, SROs registered properties based on GHMC numbers. Subsequently, they were instructed to follow the latest lists forwarded by respective collectors. The process of uploading the GOs, and memos is underway and should be completed shortly. Registrations in GHMC areas have also resumed. Around 40 pending registrations were completed by Wednesday morning.In many colonies around Hyderabad, people living for three or four decades are facing problems relating to waqf lands. Is the govt planning a solution?Waqf properties cannot be removed unilaterally by the revenue department or under the Bhu Bharati Act. These lands are governed by a central Act. However, the govt will examine such cases individually and make efforts to find solutions to genuine waqf land-related grievances.Opposition parties are alleging that many new properties were added to the 22A list. Is this true?Not a single square yard of private land was newly added to the prohibited list by the Congress govt. The properties included in the lists were those that already existed in the prohibited list during previous BRS govt’s tenure. However, if officials identify encroached govt land, it is placed under prohibition and classified as govt land. We will continue to protect govt properties. Once the special investigation team submits its report on irregularities in Dharani land transactions, action will be taken against land grabbers.BRS and BJP are alleging the problem emerged after Bhu Bharati replaced Dharani, and properties were deliberately added to the list.That is completely wrong. There is no connection between the prohibited list and Bhu Bharati. Bhu Bharati is a land record management and land transaction platform. The 22A prohibited properties list is an entirely separate matter. Both BRS and BJP are making baseless allegations to divert public attention, particularly the BJP on the issue of SIR. There is a secret understanding between the two.When will the govt rectify the mistakes?The state govt has directed collectors in all four districts to rectify mistakes by end of this month. The process could be completed even earlier as it is progressing on a war footing. Anyone with a grievance can approach the SRO concerned. SROs have been instructed to accept applications and forward them to the respective collectors. Officials have been directed to resolve genuine cases in two working days. If a property is genuinely govt land and cannot be removed from the list, the SRO or revenue authorities must provide the applicant with a written explanation within two days. Action will be taken against officials who violate these instructions.Is there a mechanism to prevent similar problems in future?A special committee has been constituted to ensure speedy resolution of 22A issues. It comprises principal secretary revenue, inspector general of registration and stamps department, and other officials. The committee will examine applications on a daily basis over the next 15 days and take steps to clear genuine private properties. It will also work on creating a robust system to prevent such issues from recurring.
