Telangana CM Launches Inquiry Into Alleged Land Irregularities

The Chief Minister of Telangana, A Revanth Reddy, has declared the establishment of a Special Enquiry Team (SET) to investigate significant allegations of irregularities concerning government lands, purportedly totalling around Rs 1 lakh crore during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration. This announcement was made during a session in the state Assembly on Wednesday.

Reddy accused the former BRS government of widespread corruption related to land management and underscored the serious nature of these allegations. He stated that the SET has been instructed to provide a comprehensive report within one month.

Among the claims made by Reddy are concerns regarding certain properties linked to K Chandrasekhar Rao, the chief of BRS and former Chief Minister. The investigation will focus on alleged irregularities associated with Rao's farmhouse, reported to be expansive in size.

In detail, Reddy highlighted the extensive land holdings of K Chandrasekhar Rao's family and associates. He specified that Rao's family is said to possess 439 acres across 31 villages in nine districts. This includes plots held by various family members, such as 67.5 acres by K Chandrasekhar Rao, 123 acres by K T Rama Rao, and 30 acres by Harish Rao, among others.

The Chief Minister queried why Rao had not disclosed the existence of 388 acres of government land within his farmhouse property, insisting that this land should be allocated to support local impoverished residents. Revanth Reddy stated that, upon formal regularisation, Dalits would be granted ownership of the land in question.

He remarked, "What has come to light so far is merely 'Dharani Part 1'; further irregularities under 'Dharani Part 2' will soon be unmasked." The Chief Minister urged the Assembly's Speaker to ensure that members from the BRS were present for the ongoing session so that all details could be disclosed in their presence.

Following these developments, the Telangana government appears determined to address public concerns regarding land governance and transparency. The outcome of the SET's inquiry is expected to have considerable implications for future political dynamics in the state, especially given the magnitude of the financial figures involved in these allegations.