Ponguleti contrasted Bhu Bharati with Dharani, explaining that the new Act was drafted after expert consultations and comparisons with other states’ revenue systems
Nalgonda: Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Monday warned that stringent action will be taken against anyone found holding pattadar passbooks without owning land in order to claim Rythu Bandhu benefits.
Addressing an awareness programme on the Bhu Bharati Act, 2025 — which replaces the earlier Dharani system — at Aswaraopet, Srinivas Reddy said, “It has come to my notice that some BRS leaders obtained pattadar passbooks fraudulently to receive Rythu Bandhu funds. We will hold both the officers and passbook holders accountable for these gross irregularities.”
The minister contrasted Bhu Bharati with Dharani, explaining that the new Act was drafted after expert consultations and comparisons with other states’ revenue systems. “Unlike Dharani, whose modalities were never finalised, Bhu Bharati’s procedures were published publicly before implementation,” he noted.
A Cabinet sub-committee led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is overseeing Bhu Bharati’s roll-out, with a pilot project already underway in four mandals — including Nelakondapally in Khammam district. Srinivas Reddy said land disputes in these areas are expected to be resolved by June 2.
Speaking alongside transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar at an Elkathurthy programme, the minister stressed that welfare schemes under the Congress government are allocated impartially, irrespective of political affiliation. He reiterated that any official found complicit in land-record irregularities would face “strict disciplinary and legal action.”
Srinivas Reddy also criticised the BRS for “fear-mongering” over Bhu Bharati, recalling that the previous government failed to complete the Gouravelli irrigation project whose foundation stone was laid in 2017. He added that his administration has expedited the Gouravelli canals, waived farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh, provided a Rs 500 bonus per quintal of paddy, and filled 69,000 government posts in 15 months.
On social justice, the minister highlighted the completion of a state caste census and pledged 42 per cent reservations for BCs in education, employment, and politics. Finally, he dismissed BRS claims of police obstruction at their silver-jubilee rally, attributing low turnout to a lack of public support rather than any official interference.
