Govt to resume 25,000 acres of unused assigned land near Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: The Telangana government plans to resume nearly 25,000 acres of uncultivated assigned land, mainly in Hyderabad and surrounding areas of Ranga Reddy district, for industrial, infrastructure and other public projects. Officials said the exercise will take place in phases.
The government has already started the takeover of around 5,000 acres. It transferred nearly 3,000 acres to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for industrial development projects.
Demand for Land Near Hyderabad
Several state and central government agencies, including Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and the Railways, have sought land from the revenue department for infrastructure projects and institutions.
TGIIC alone requires nearly 10,000 acres to develop industrial parks around Hyderabad.
Sources said authorities allotted about 100 acres in Enkepally village for a goshala. The government also acquired nearly 300 acres in Peddamangalaram and 500 acres in Seetharampuram, Damarapally and Peddaveedu villages before transferring them to TGIIC.
Assigned Lands Lying Unused
Revenue officials said the government assigned nearly 1.40 lakh acres to landless farmers several decades ago in Ranga Reddy district. However, around 25,000 acres near Hyderabad and other urban pockets remained unused for agriculture.
“The government assigned these lands to landless farmers strictly for cultivation. However, several beneficiaries are illegally selling them to developers and builders for layout ventures,” a senior revenue official said.
Officials clarified that assigned land cannot legally be sold or transferred. Only legal heirs can inherit the land after the death of the original assignee.
Government Action Under Assigned Lands Act
Under the Telangana Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, the government can resume assigned land if beneficiaries violate the rules.
Officials suspect that private individuals have already purchased nearly 3,000 acres of assigned land illegally.
District authorities have started issuing notices in areas where illegal transactions surfaced. In Tukkuguda, the government resumed 24 acres spread across five parcels. Officials also issued notices in Moinabad and Shankarpally mandals, including Peddaveedu, Maddur and Solipet villages.
Land Pooling Benefits for Farmers
Officials said farmers holding assigned land are technically not eligible for compensation. However, the state government is extending benefits under the land pooling scheme.
Under the scheme, farmers surrendering one acre will receive nearly 800 square yards of developed plots. Officials said the market value of these plots is significantly higher than the original assigned land. Unlike assigned land, beneficiaries can legally sell the developed plots.
Authorities are also encouraging people who illegally purchased assigned land to surrender it voluntarily after receiving notices. Officials are treating such buyers as encroachers and offering them around 300 square yards of developed plots to avoid long legal disputes and speed up land acquisition.
