REG NEWS
A land dispute involving around 250 acres in Kollur has come into focus, with the Forum for Good Governance (FGG) seeking a review of how government land originally allotted to ex-servicemen was later recorded in the names of private parties.
In a representation submitted to Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on September 23, FGG president M. Padmanabha Reddy alleged that government land in Survey No. 191 of Kollur Village, Sangareddy Taluk, was transferred to private parties using purportedly fake records, with the alleged involvement of Revenue officials.
Reddy said around 83 ex-servicemen were allotted three acres each in the survey in 1975. The then Tahsildar issued a supplementary Sethwar to implement the allotment. However, the land was allegedly neither properly demarcated on the ground nor handed over to the ex-servicemen.
Reddy referred to an inquiry conducted by S.K. Sinha, IAS (Retd.), into the allotment and transfer of government lands and issuance of No Objection Certificates. According to the findings cited by FGG, around 250 acres in Survey No. 191, which had earlier been allotted to ex-servicemen, was allegedly transferred to private parties based on purportedly fake documents.
The FGG representation named Maks Worth Orchards India Ltd., Vajra Farma Engineers, Kamalesh Lohade, P. Anantha Laxmi, K. Venkateshwara Prasad, S. Venkateshwara Rao and C. Laxmikar Reddy in connection with the land. Reddy alleged that pattas or title certificates were subsequently obtained on the basis of such documents.
Following the Sinha inquiry, the Government reportedly ordered a further investigation by the District Collector. Reddy said the Collector's report, sent to the Government through the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA), found two RDOs, four Tahsildars and one Assistant Director of Survey and Land Records responsible for irregularities related to the land transfer.
Reddy said the CCLA forwarded its report to the Government in 2016, but FGG has sought clarity on the action taken on the findings, including action against the officials and the status of pattas allegedly issued on the basis of irregular or false documents.
The representation also raised concerns over the present status of the land. Reddy said around 50 acres is currently occupied, with a large colony having come up there, while nearly 200 acres remains unoccupied on the ground, even though the records reportedly show ownership in the names of the private parties identified in the inquiry.
FGG has asked the Governor to take up the matter with the State Government, review the original allotment, subsequent changes in land records and inquiry findings, and verify the documents used for issuing pattas. The forum also sought cancellation of pattas found to be based on forged, false or invalid documents, following due process, and restoration of the available government land for eligible ex-servicemen.