Hyderabad: Coming out strongly in support of HYDRAA amid legal challenges and criticism from the opposition, chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday asserted that the anti-encroachment agency would continue its operations without fear or favour, declaring that no encroacher would be spared irrespective of status, wealth or political influence.Referring to Monday’s high court directive to relieve AV Ranganath from the post of HYDRAA commissioner, Revanth said the govt would decide its future course of action after receiving the detailed judgment.Speaking to mediapersons after meeting Union agriculture and rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi, Revanth described HYDRAA as one of the most important reforms introduced by his govt.He said the agency was created to protect govt lands, lakes, ponds, parks and stormwater drains, and was effectively discharging its responsibilities. “HYDRAA is doing excellent work,” he said.Reaffirming the govt’s commitment to safeguarding public assets, the chief minister said HYDRAA’s enforcement drive would continue uninterrupted, stressing that the protection of lakes, parks, ponds and drainage systems was critical for Hyderabad’s environmental and urban sustainability.Stating that he had complete faith in the judiciary, the chief minister maintained that the appointment of officials was the prerogative of the elected govt. “We have complete faith in the judiciary. The govt would carefully examine the court’s verdict before deciding its future course of action,” he said.Responding to questions on contempt proceedings against Ranganath, Revanth argued that if contempt cases alone were grounds for removal, the same standard should have been applied in the past.The chief minister questioned why similar concerns were not raised when retired IAS officer Somesh Kumar allegedly faced more than 400 contempt of court cases during his tenure.“BRS leaders had encroached upon the Bathukamma Kunta area and later filed a contempt of court case. How can anyone justify such actions? The opposition is filing cases with the intention of misleading the courts,” he alleged.Revanth accused encroachers of attempting to obstruct HYDRAA’s functioning through litigation and misinformation campaigns. He alleged that those who had encroached upon lakes, ponds, govt lands and public spaces were trying to mislead the courts while levelling allegations against officials.Highlighting HYDRAA’s recent demolition drives, he referred to the demolition of the N-Convention Centre and action against encroachments around Gandipet lake, questioning attempts to portray the operations as targeting the poor.“Did N-Convention belong to the poor or the properties at Gandipet were owned by the poor or the properties involved belonged to influential individuals? Those who encroached Bathukamma Kunta were not poor,” he claimed.“The law will apply equally to everyone. Whether a person is rich and powerful or poor, action will be taken if they have encroached upon public land. Not an inch of govt land will be allowed to be encroached,” the chief minister asserted.He also expressed concern over what he described as paid social media campaigns aimed at spreading false propaganda against HYDRAA and shielding encroachers.The chief minister said the govt was fully aware of HYDRAA’s mandate and responsibilities and reiterated that while it respected the judiciary and court orders, the agency’s efforts to protect public lands and water bodies would continue.
