Hyderabad: The state govt is set to take over nearly 25,000 acres of uncultivated assigned land, particularly in Ranga Reddy district, for various public purposes. Officials said the acquisition will be carried out in phases. Of the total extent, the govt has already initiated the takeover of around 5,000 acres and handed over nearly 3,000 acres to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for industrial development.According to officials, several state and central govt agencies, including TGIIC, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and the Railways, have sought land from the revenue department for institutions, infrastructure projects, and other public purposes. TGIIC alone is reportedly looking for nearly 10,000 acres to establish industrial parks around Hyderabad.Govt sources said about 100 acres in Enkepally were allotted for a goshala, while nearly 300 acres in Peddamangalaram and 500 acres in Seetharampuram, Damarapally, and Peddaveedu have already been acquired and transferred to TGIIC.Officials in Ranga Reddy district said nearly 1.40 lakh acres had been assigned to landless farmers several decades ago. However, around 25,000 acres located near Hyderabad and in some urban pockets have remained unused for agricultural purposes.“The assigned land was given to landless farmers strictly for cultivation. However, many beneficiaries are illegally selling these lands to developers and builders for layout ventures. Assigned land cannot legally be sold or transferred. It can only pass on to legal heirs after the death of the original assignee. Under the Telangana Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, the govt has the authority to resume such land in case of violations. We suspect nearly 3,000 acres of assigned land have already been sold to private individuals,” a senior revenue official told TOI.District officials said notices are being issued whenever illegal transactions involving assigned lands come to light. In Tukkuguda, for instance, 24 acres spread across five parcels were resumed by the govt. Similar notices have been served in Moinabad, Shankarpally, Maheshwaram, Kandukur, and several other mandals, including villages such as Peddavidu, Maddur, and Solipet.“Technically, farmers holding assigned land are not entitled to compensation. However, the state govt is still extending benefits under the land pooling scheme. Farmers are being given nearly 800 square yards of developed plots for every acre surrendered. In terms of market value, the compensation is significantly higher than the original land value. Moreover, the developed plots can legally be sold, unlike assigned land,” a revenue divisional officer told TOI.Interestingly, some individuals who had purchased assigned land are also opting to surrender it after receiving notices from the authorities. Officials said such purchasers are being treated as ‘encroachers’ and are being offered around 300 square yards of developed plots to ensure smoother land acquisition and avoid prolonged legal disputes.
