BJP seeks probe into land conversions under previous BRS regime

BJP Legislature Party leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy on Tuesday (January 06) demanded that the State government conduct a detailed probe into the alleged irregularities in land conversions during the previous BRS regime. He also stressed the need to reclaim government lands that were illegally allotted to private persons.

Participating in a short discussion on the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation (HILT) Policy in the Assembly, Mr. Reddy questioned the government’s GO 29 pertaining to the policy and sought clarification on why IDA Bollaram was included in the proposed list for relocation beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

Criticizing the government’s proposal to impose a low conversion fee of 30% to 50% of SRO value for converting industrial lands into residential, commercial, and mixed-use zones, Mr. Reddy argued that the actual market value was very high.

Similarly, AIMIM Floor Leader Akbaruddin Owaisi flayed the government for the low conversion fee and urged that it be increased to 50%. He sought details on the revenue expected from converting lands valued at around ₹4 lakh crore in the market.

Defending the HILT policy, Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy asserted that the initiative is essential for making Hyderabad a more livable city and ensuring sustainable growth for Telangana.

Stating that the policy would remain voluntary, Mr. Reddy countered Opposition criticism that it should be mandatory. He challenged parties like the BRS and BJP to spell out their stand clearly. “Do you want us to shift polluting industries outside the Outer Ring Road or not? If your suggestion is to make it mandatory, please state it openly,” he said.

He emphasized that leasehold lands would not be eligible for conversion only lands with complete ownership would be considered. Responding to allegations that 9,000 acres and ₹5 lakh crore were siphoned off, Mr. Reddy described the criticism as unsubstantiated.

Participating in the discussion, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao explained that HILT policy was not a sudden decision. Mr. Rao said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee on pollution control and resource mobilisation.

“The committee met 11 times between May and September, holding detailed discussions to ensure transparency and to design a policy that enhances citizens’ living standards,” he added.

“These are not government lease lands but privately owned lands purchased by industrialists nearly 60 years ago,” Mr. Rao said, adding that the government is offering suitable incentives to ensure industries relocate without financial loss to owners, while simultaneously making the city cleaner and healthier.

The Minister alleged that the previous government committed large-scale irregularities in land conversions.