Ponguleti counters BRS leaders’ land allegations
HYDERABAD: State Revenue, Housing and Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy on Wednesday rejected allegations made by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders K Chandrashekar Rao, K T Rama Rao and T Harish Rao against the Congress government and its ministers.
Addressing a media conference at the Secretariat along with ministers and legislators, he said the opposition was making “baseless allegations” against the government.
Nadargul land dispute traced to previous regime decisions
The minister said the Nadargul land in Survey No. 613 in Balapur mandal of Rangareddy district, measuring 373 acres and 13 guntas, had been under dispute in courts for years, alternating between private and government claims.
He said the BRS government registered the land on September 1, 2014, in favour of three companies United Land Marks Private Limited, Alpha Estates Private Limited and Omega Developments Venture Private Limited and later carried out mutation on September 24, 2016.
“If the registration and mutation took place during your tenure, what is the link to the present government?” he asked.
He said satellite imagery from 2021 and 2022 showed that development activities such as roads and structures were carried out during the previous regime. “All works on the land were completed before this government assumed office,” he added.
Government filed counter only after 2025
Referring to litigation, the minister said a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed in 2022 in the Supreme Court did not receive a counter affidavit from the then government.
“After our government came to power, we examined pending cases and filed a counter on March 17, 2025, stating that the land is government property,” he said, adding that the current administration is contesting the matter in court.
He denied allegations of irregularities, stating that the land remains in the prohibited list under Section 22A and that no changes were made by the present government.
Vattinagulapalli issue a private dispute
On the Vattinagulapalli issue, Ponguleti said it was a family dispute within the Shah family over land purchased decades ago.
He said a portion of land was taken for the Outer Ring Road (ORR), which led to internal disputes over shares. “This is a private matter and has no connection with the government,” he said.
He added that a company, in which his son Harsha Reddy is a partner, had only taken land for development and not ownership. “If any of my family members are partners in the companies that claim ownership of this land, I challenge them to prove it,” he said.
He also cited a letter from Pallavi Shah acknowledging receipt of survey notices, countering allegations that the government conducted surveys without informing stakeholders.
Kotwalguda crusher allegations rejected
Responding to allegations related to a crusher unit at Kotwalguda, the minister said the unit had been operational since 2007 on leased land and was run by a private individual.
He said Raghava Constructions was executing a radial road project and sourcing material from Tirumala Metal Industries, which owned the crusher. “There is no link between the crusher and Raghava Constructions or my family,” he said.
He added that all relevant documents, including GST registration and power bills, were available.
Minister questions opposition’s corruption claims
The minister questioned the opposition’s allegations and asked BRS leaders to explain asset growth during their tenure.
He said a CB-CID inquiry had been initiated into mining-related activities from 2014 onwards and that the findings would reveal details of alleged irregularities.
“The government is functioning transparently and will abide by court decisions in all disputed matters,” he said.
