Transparency Ensured in Implementing HILT Policy: Sridhar Babu
Land conversion under HILT policy is entirely voluntary. It is not mandatory. No one is being forced or pressured: Minister
Hyderabad: Industries and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu on Tuesday said the State government is maintaining complete transparency in implementing the HILT policy.
“There is no scope for suspicion. The lands being converted under this policy do not belong to the government; they belong to the industrial owners, who hold absolute rights over them. Deliberate misinformation is being spread by BRS and BJP leaders,” he said.
According to Sridhar Babu, land conversion under this policy is entirely voluntary. It is not mandatory. No one is being forced or pressured. This is a time-bound policy. Industrial owners wishing to convert their lands must apply through the TS-iPASS portal within six months.
Some allege that ulterior activities will take place on vacated lands after industries are relocated. “My response is clear: no matter how much criticism is directed at us, we will not retreat. We will continue to work in public interest and develop these lands for maximum public utility,” he said.
In several industrial areas, defunct and closed factories have rendered land unproductive. “Our objective is to bring such wasted lands back into productive use,” he explained.
Technology is evolving rapidly, yet some industries continue to operate using obsolete technologies, leading to increased pollution. It is with the firm resolve to address this challenge that the HILT policy has been introduced, the Minister added.
Industries and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu said that many were viewing this merely as a simple land transformation—an industrial area becoming a residential area—and are limiting their perspective to revenue records alone. "Through this House, I want to clearly state on behalf of the Telangana Government: this is not merely a change of land use. It is a healthy foundation being laid for our children and future generations," he said.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the State government has shouldered the historic responsibility. "For our children, for future generations, and for the survival of this land, we have taken the first historic step towards change through the HILT policy. Despite this, some are deliberately alleging ulterior motives and criticising the policy," Industries and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu explained.
"Our intention is not merely to amend revenue records. Our resolve is to relocate polluting industries beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and ensure clean air to breathe and clean water to drink for future generations," Industries and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu.
Minister says clean nature is a legacy issue; industries to be shifted beyond ORR to reduce city pollution
Minister Sridhar Babu on Tuesday said the state government’s Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation (HILT) policy is aimed at safeguarding the environment and ensuring a clean and sustainable future for coming generations. He said society must introspect whether it is passing on a healthy and pollution-free environment to the next generation.
The minister said ancestors had left behind a clean and rich natural environment, and stressed that once nature is destroyed, it cannot be restored. He said it is the responsibility of the present generation to protect natural resources and ensure their survival for the future.
Responding to criticism of the HILT policy, Sridhar Babu said some were viewing it merely as a land conversion exercise. He clarified that the policy seeks to transform industrial zones within the city into residential areas while shifting industries beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to reduce pollution in the city. He said the Chief Minister is making serious efforts to ensure pollution-free areas within the ORR.
The minister said constructive criticism of the HILT policy would be welcomed but added that those indulging in baseless allegations should introspect. He reiterated that the policy has been introduced keeping in mind the future of coming generations and the sustainability of land and environment.
On electoral issues, Sridhar Babu said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is being carried out by the Election Commission. He asserted that the votes of eligible citizens will not be removed and said the government is committed to responsible governance. He added that Rahul Gandhi has consistently advocated ensuring voting rights for all eligible citizens and raising concerns over alleged vote theft.
The minister also said suggestions regarding the inclusion of Kaghaznagar while announcing election-related dates would be brought to the Chief Minister’s notice.
Meanwhile, a Bill to upgrade Nalgonda municipality into a municipal corporation was introduced in the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday said the Supreme Court has issued specific directions in connection with the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar issue. The minister said the state has decided to approach the apex court seeking an interim stay in the matter.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said he would personally attend the next hearing in the Supreme Court. He added that he would travel to New Delhi to meet senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi to discuss the legal strategy in the case.
Referring to irrigation infrastructure works, the minister said that the design consultancy for repairs to the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages has not yet been finalised. He said three agencies, in association with various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), have submitted proposals.
The minister said officials have been instructed to proceed strictly in accordance with rules and merit while finalising the consultancy.
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday made a key announcement in the Telangana Legislative Assembly regarding healthcare and welfare measures for Singareni workers. Responding to questions raised by members in the House, he said all vacant posts of doctors and staff in Singareni hospitals will be filled by March.
The Deputy CM said the government is giving top priority to the welfare of Singareni workers and is taking concrete steps to strengthen medical facilities in Singareni areas. He informed the House that a notification has already been issued for the recruitment of 32 doctors and that the appointments will be completed soon.
He added that the recruitment process for 176 paramedical staff is currently underway. Bhatti Vikramarka also announced that a Cath Lab will be established at Godavarikhani within the next 75 days to improve advanced cardiac care for workers and residents in the region.
The Deputy CM said the Cath Lab at Ramagundam is being constructed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and ensuring better medical services for Singareni employees and their families.
Telangana Minister Sridhar Babu on Tuesday said the state government is making efforts to provide land to industries at prices lower than the market rate in order to remain competitive and attract investments. Referring to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, he said industries there are being offered land on long-term leases at nominal rates, posing a challenge that Telangana is addressing through investor-friendly policies.
The minister said the government is actively promoting industrial growth by setting up MSME parks and providing essential infrastructure such as roads and basic facilities for new industrial units. He added that the state is positioning itself as a preferred investment destination by showcasing its policies to global industries.
Sridhar Babu said the Chief Minister will lead a state delegation to the Davos summit, while the Telangana Rising conclave has already attracted investments worth ₹5 lakh crore. He noted that Telangana’s policies are being presented on global platforms to draw more investments into the state.
On employment, the minister said the government is examining social aspects while finalising the job calendar. He revealed that companies such as Housentrio and Sista IT are expected to generate around 1,000 jobs each. Cognizant is setting up a new campus that will provide employment to about 5,000 people, while expansions by Infosys at Pocharam, Wipro and Cognizant are expected to generate thousands of additional jobs.
He said the expansion of Infosys at Pocharam alone would create employment for around 17,000 people, while Wipro’s expansion would provide jobs to another 5,000. The minister added that the Congress government has successfully brought 70 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to the state so far.
Sridhar Babu said Telangana is making rapid progress in emerging areas such as cyber security and quantum computing. He also noted that the fourth phase of Genome Valley has been completed and that pharmaceutical exports now exceed IT exports. In addition, aerospace and defence manufacturing exports from the state are witnessing significant growth, he said.
The Telangana government is taking multiple steps to strengthen electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the state by improving battery capacity, expanding charging infrastructure and offering incentives, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said on Tuesday.
The minister said companies are being encouraged to enhance the battery capacity of EVs and increase the number of charging stations across the state. As part of the state’s EV policy, meetings have been held with manufacturers and dealers to accelerate the transition to electric mobility.
Ponnam noted that the implementation of EV incentives has resulted in a revenue loss of around ₹900 crore in taxes, but stressed that the government is committed to promoting clean and sustainable transport. He said companies have been requested to offer up to 20 per cent discounts to employees purchasing EVs, while a policy is also being put in place to encourage multinational companies to procure electric vehicles.
Highlighting public transport initiatives, the minister said 575 RTC buses are currently operating under the PM e-Drive scheme. He added that more than 200 new electric buses will be inducted soon, with 100 buses earmarked for Warangal and 50 for Nizamabad.
The minister also said vehicles older than 15 years must be scrapped, and the state has issued a government order under the scrappage policy to provide incentives for vehicle owners. He said these measures are aimed at reducing pollution and promoting sustainable mobility across Telangana.