Telangana Establishes Ministerial Panel to Address Land Dispute
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Synopsis
Hyderabad, April 3 (NationPress) The Telangana government has formed a committee to resolve the ongoing dispute over 400 acres of land at Kancha Gachibowli near the Hyderabad Central University (HCU), following intervention from the Supreme Court which halted tree-felling activities.
Key Takeaways
- Three-member committee formed by Telangana government.
- Committee to address land issues near HCU.
- Supreme Court intervened to halt tree-felling.
- Protests by students and environmentalists ongoing.
- Government defends its land use plans.
Hyderabad, April 3 (NationPress) The Telangana government has formed a three-member committee of ministers to address the contentious issue surrounding 400 acres of land located at Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the Hyderabad Central University (HCU).
This committee includes Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Industries and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu, and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. They will engage with the executive committee of HCU, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), civil society organizations, a delegation of students, and all relevant stakeholders to find a resolution regarding the land dispute in Kancha Gachibowli.
The establishment of this committee follows a ruling from the Supreme Court, which has temporarily halted tree-felling and other developmental activities on the disputed land.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court expressed serious concerns regarding the ongoing tree-felling and instructed the state government to cease all development efforts on the site until further notice.
A bench led by Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice A. G. Masih questioned the Telangana Chief Secretary about the urgency behind initiating development activities, including the removal of trees.
The apex court's involvement came after the Registrar of the Telangana High Court submitted a report following an earlier ruling. This report indicated that approximately 100 acres of land had already been cleared. The bench emphasized the seriousness of the situation and inquired whether the authorities had secured the necessary permissions.
In response to a significant outcry regarding the state's plans to develop the land for auction to IT companies, the apex court intervened to suspend the tree-felling.
Students from HCU, along with environmental advocates, have been protesting vigorously over the past days, urging the government to abandon its plans, which they argue would jeopardize biodiversity and eliminate crucial green spaces for the city.
Opposition parties including BRS, BJP, CPI, CPI-M, and student organizations aligned with them have shown support for the student-led protests.
On Sunday, the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) initiated land clearing with multiple bulldozers, sparking large-scale protests from the students.
The Vata Foundation, which filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Telangana High Court, asserts that the land contains three lakes, numerous rock formations, and various species of wildlife that require protection. The foundation accused the government of violating Supreme Court guidelines.
The state government defended its position, asserting that it has not encroached on any land belonging to the university.
According to the government, after winning a legal battle over the land, it aims to safeguard public land valued at billions from private ownership and intends to use it to create employment opportunities for youth by establishing IT companies.
In a joint press conference on Tuesday, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Sridhar Babu, and Srinivas Reddy criticized the opposition parties BRS and BJP for disseminating misinformation about the land for their political advantage. They urged students to remain vigilant and not be misled by opposition narratives.
They also warned that strict measures would be implemented against those obstructing government initiatives and development.
