KTR Questions Future City Land Acquisition, Promises Support to Farmers

BRS working president and former minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) questioned whether taking land from poor farmers and allegedly handing it over to influential individuals could be called “Indiramma Rajyam”. Speaking at a meeting with farmers affected by land acquisition in Bahadurpura, KTR alleged that families cultivating their lands for generations were now facing the threat of losing their properties.

KTR alleged that Congress leaders had promised before the elections to scrap the Pharma City project and return lands to farmers. However, after coming to power, the government renamed the project Future City and was proceeding with plans involving around 30,000 acres, he claimed.

He further alleged that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was facilitating land deals in the Future City region for his relatives and associates. KTR also accused the police of siding with Congress leaders instead of protecting farmers facing land-related disputes.

KTR criticised the alleged treatment of farmers at police stations, saying photographs of farmers were being displayed instead of those of habitual offenders. He advised farmers facing harassment to document such incidents and warned officials against acting against them. He said the BRS would continue to stand by farmers and pursue the issue politically and legally.

Meanwhile, Patolla Karthik Reddy alleged that about 1,000 acres were being acquired at one location in the name of bullet train-related land acquisition. He claimed that land belonging to Congress leaders was being spared while the properties of economically weaker farmers were being targeted. He said the BRS would fight against any attempt to acquire land unlawfully.

BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan raised separate allegations concerning Oilfed lands. He claimed that 17,261 square yards had been allotted to a private individual in 1954 for oil production purposes, but the allotment was cancelled in 1974 after the land was allegedly used for other purposes. He said 15,983 square yards was subsequently allotted to Oilfed in 1990.

Sravan alleged that the present government was attempting to transfer the land to private individuals through GO 85, despite the previous BRS government directing that it remain with Oilfed.

Former minister and MLA Sabitha Indra Reddy questioned the clarity over the extent of land required for the bullet train project. She alleged that affected farmers believed their lands were being targeted for private interests and assured them of legal support in their fight over the disputed acquisitions.