Dharani portal is passe:It’s welcome Bhu Bharati

Hyderabad:The Legislative Assembly passed the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Bill, 2024, with a voice vote on Friday, replacing the Dharani portal with the new portal. The passage of the Bill was marked by a walkout staged by the main Opposition party, the BRS, in protest against the Speaker’s decision to disallow discussion on the Formula E race issue.

The other opposition parties — the BJP, AIMIM, and CPI —participated in the debate and welcomed the legislation while proposing several amendments. The House did not approve these amendments.

Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy assured the Assembly that the suggested changes from the BJP, AIMIM, and CPI would be incorporated into an executive order that would be issued within three months, following the formulation of rules for the implementation of the Bhu Bharati Act.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy asserted that the Bhu Bharati Act, also known as the RoR (Record of Rights) Act, was a landmark initiative aimed at protecting the land rights of the poor and addressing flaws in previous land registration systems.

He said that the new legislation is designed to ensure that every eligible landowner in Telangana is shielded from exploitation and injustice.

“The Bhu Bharati Act reflects the government’s commitment to farmers and landowners, preventing alienation of land from uneducated or vulnerable groups,” Reddy stated.

Highlighting the historical significance of land rights in Telangana, he invoked the sacrifices of luminaries like Ravi Narayana Reddy, Arutla Kamaladevi and Chakali Ailamma, who fought for land ownership as a matter of self-respect and dignity.

The Chief Minister called the Dharani system a “flawed and oppressive mechanism” that disenfranchised farmers of their rightful ownership. He assured the Assembly that the Bhu Bharati Act would rectify these injustices, restore transparency, and safeguard landowners' rights.

Reddy also condemned attempts by BRS members to disrupt the debate by raising unrelated issues. He accused them of evading a constructive debate and creating unnecessary chaos in the House.

“The Congress government remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and justice,” Revanth Reddy said, pledging to expose all irregularities that had occurred during the BRS regime and ensure accountability in Telangana’s land governance system.