HILT policy formulated after expert consultations, Cabinet sub-committee involved: IT Minister Sridhar Babu

IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu stated that land conversion under the Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) policy is completely voluntary. He added that industrial unit owners wishing to convert their lands must apply through the TS-iPASS portal within six months.

Initiating a short discussion on the HILT policy in the Assembly on Tuesday, he refuted allegations of vested interests behind it. “Our government is maintaining complete transparency in implementing the HILT policy,” he said, adding that the lands proposed for conversion under the policy belong to industrial unit owners who have complete rights over them.

Mr. Sridhar Babu emphasised that the HILT policy was formulated after thorough consultations with experts. He noted that a Cabinet committee, led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and comprising members Uttam Kumar Reddy, Jupally Krishna Rao, and himself, held discussions with concerned industrial unit owners, association leaders and others.

Stating that many, including some Opposition leaders, view the policy as a simple land transformation from industrial to multi-purpose use, the Minister clarified, “I would like to state that this is not merely a change of land use. It is a healthy foundation being laid for future generations who deserve a clean environment.”

Refuting allegations of ulterior motives in introducing the policy, he said: “BRS leaders have accused the government of selling lands at throwaway prices, while BJP leaders made similar allegations. But these claims are baseless since this initiative is not new. It was proposed in 2013 to relocate Red and Orange category industries beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR).”

He added that the BRS government issued the GO 19 to grant freehold rights to private individuals on leased land, even though the government retained ownership.

He also questioned the BJP’s silence on irregularities in land conversions during the BRS government and pointed out that the BRS had attempted to hand over government lands to private persons under the GRID policy in 2020.

“In an attempt to oppose the HILT policy, BRS leaders conducted field visits, but they were taken aback by the response from industrial unit owners and labour union leaders,” he added.