Cabinet takes serious note of BRS charges on industrial land policy

The State Cabinet has taken serious notice of the allegations leveled by BRS leaders against the State Government on the proposed Hyderabad Industrial Land Conversion Policy (HILTP) that the main Opposition has not been able to digest the rapid steps taken by the State since the Congress took over the reins.

Terming the accusations made by BRS working president KT Rama Rao and former Minister T. Harish Rao as “baseless”, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao said that BRS is indulging in mudslinging against the Government for political gains. Relocation of industries within ORR boundaries was not a new suggestion and the issue had been discussed by the erstwhile united Governments of Andhra Pradesh as part of efforts to make the city pollution-free.

This development comes after concerns were raised about the extent of pollution by these units and the National Green Tribunal also ordered their relocation. Following various complaints from residents about pollution caused by industries, the government decided to relocate the industry and change the land use to multi-use areas.

“Mr. Rama Rao himself discussed the shifting of 200 industrial parks from ORR boundaries during his tenure as Minister between 2017 and 2022. Of these, 42 acres of land were converted from industrial to residential use during the BRS regime,” Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy recalled, wondering how far BRS leaders can stoop to gain political mileage from every issue.

Moreover, land use change was proposed for land that was not owned by the state and was purchased by industrialists decades ago. “Mr. Rama Rao and Mr. Harish Rao are aware of the truth but are trying to mislead people,” Mr. Krishna Rao said.

Industry stakeholders demanded free conversion but the Government insisted on payment of the amounts to raise resources. Accordingly, it was decided to allow 50 per cent of SRO on lands having 80 ft roads adjacent to them and 30 per cent on lands having roads with less clearance adjacent to them.

“BRS has not learned lessons since its defeat in the 2023 elections. It is trying to gain political mileage by making false accusations against the government and the State Cabinet,” Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka said.

Ministers recalled BRS’s allegations regarding the Jubilee Hills by-poll as a referendum on the functioning of the Congress Government and said the people had given a befitting response to the main Opposition in the elections. But BRS leaders were fond of leveling the bets against the Government in the run-up to local body elections.

Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka alleged that BRS had resorted to land use change during its tenure without following any policy and without taking approval from the State Cabinet. The agreements were rife with irregularities as they were intended to favor a few individuals chosen from within by party leaders. “Lands in industrial parks have been converted to suit the requirements of elite leaders of the BRS,” he claimed.

He said the Government would soon release details on the extent of land converted from industrial use to other purposes and details of the beneficiaries who received the donation would also be released soon.

“Our government has been transparent and put forward a policy in this direction to eliminate urban pollution and provide resources to the State exchequer,” he said, adding that the policy was formulated after detailed discussions with relevant officials and stakeholders.