Telangana Government Denies Land Appropriation from Hyderabad University
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Synopsis
On April 2, the Telangana government clarified that it has not appropriated any land from Hyderabad Central University amidst ongoing disputes over 400 acres near the campus. The government aims to utilize this land for job creation through IT companies.
Key Takeaways
- The Telangana government has not taken any land from Hyderabad University.
- 400 acres of land are under dispute near Hyderabad Central University.
- The government intends to use the land for job creation.
- Ministers criticized the opposition for spreading misinformation.
- Assurances were made regarding the preservation of biodiversity.
Hyderabad, April 2 (NationPress) In the ongoing dispute regarding 400 acres of land adjacent to Hyderabad Central University, the Telangana government asserted on Tuesday that it has not appropriated even a fraction of the university's land. The government emphasized that following their legal victory concerning the land, they safeguarded government property valued in the thousands of crores from private acquisition, with intentions to utilize the land for job creation through the establishment of IT firms.
During a joint press briefing, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Industry and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu, and Revenue Minister P. Srinivasa Reddy articulated the government's position amid escalating protests from student groups, environmental advocates, and the opposition against the proposed auction of land in Kancha Gachibowli.
The ministers criticized the opposition parties, BRS and BJP, for disseminating misinformation for political advantage and warned that strict measures would be taken against those obstructing governmental initiatives and progress.
The Deputy Chief Minister mentioned that the government assumed control of the land post-court ruling and assured that the biodiversity within the HCU campus would be preserved. He recalled how the government led by Chandrababu Naidu in 1996 had appropriated this 400-acre site from the university and allocated it to a fraudulent entity named IMG Bharatha. An alternate 397-acre site was subsequently assigned to the university, with all documentation pertaining to this transaction signed by revenue officials and the university administration.
Later, the Congress administration under Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy annulled the allocation to IMG Bharatha, leading the company to challenge the cancellation in the High Court. Measures were taken to protect government land.
Vikramarka contended that during its decade-long administration, the BRS government made no attempts to reclaim the land. After the Congress party regained power, they resolved to advocate for the return of government land. “We fought in court and triumphed. We preserved this public asset. Now, the government is aiming to leverage this asset to create job opportunities by attracting international IT companies,” he noted, asserting that their efforts prevented the land from falling into private hands.
The Deputy Chief Minister pointed out that numerous jobs were generated through the development of HITEC City, HITEC City Phase II, and Knowledge City, and mentioned their government’s plans to establish IT parks to further employment.
Addressing the BRS, Srinivas Reddy questioned why environmental concerns were overlooked when permissions were granted for high-rise constructions adjacent to the university. He reassured that the biodiversity on campus would remain intact, urging students not to be misled by false narratives from opposition parties.
He emphasized that out of 1,525 acres designated for HCU, the government has not taken even a single inch of land.
