Ponguleti: TG Will Resolve Dharani-Era Land Disputes

 Nalgonda: Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Thursday said the Congress government would address hardships caused by policies of the previous BRS regime and work towards ensuring a dignified life for people.

Speaking at a “revenue, housing and forest sadasu” in Sattupalli of Khammam district, he said farmers and the poor faced difficulties due to earlier policies, particularly the Dharani portal, which led to land disputes. He said the government had introduced Bhu Bharathi in its place to resolve issues and restore control over land to farmers.

He said land and housing ownership were linked to dignity and security for poor families, and alleged that the previous government had neglected housing in the name of double-bedroom schemes, with eligible beneficiaries in several constituencies not receiving houses during its tenure.

The minister also criticised the previous regime over state finances, stating that Telangana had moved into debt, while asserting that the present government was implementing welfare and development programmes alongside managing liabilities.

Referring to housing, he said the Indira housing scheme was revived after the Congress came to power, with 4.5 lakh houses sanctioned in the first phase and ₹22,500 crore allocated. Of these, 1.25 lakh houses have been completed and another one lakh are expected to be ready by June. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will launch the second phase of Indiramma houses on June 2.

The minister directed revenue and forest officials to resolve disputes over forest and revenue lands in 10 to 12 border villages in Sattupalli Assembly constituency, including Rudrakshapalli, Kokapadu, Talapenta, Ramachandrapuram and Venkatagiri. He said forest boundaries should be surveyed and demarcated before the monsoon.

He also said pattas would be granted to families cultivating land for generations and instructed forest officials not to object to farmers who have secured rights under the Forest Rights Act seeking to drill borewells for agriculture.

Sattupalli MLA Matta Ragamayee and residents from Penuballi, Vemsoor and Sattupalli mandals attended the programme.