Government’s 22A becomes burden

One lakh acres affected, including long-settled homes and buildings

metro india news  I hyderabad

The people of Telangana are facing fresh difficulties over land records under the Congress government’s Bhu Bharati system, which replaced Dharani. Around one lakh acres across the State have reportedly been included in the 22A prohibited lands category, forcing citizens to repeatedly approach revenue offices to get their properties cleared.

The problem has become particularly serious because the prohibited list now reportedly includes properties on which houses, flats and buildings were constructed decades ago. Citizens seeking to sell properties for urgent needs, marriages or other important occasions are finding registrations blocked because their lands appear on the prohibited list. The situation has triggered anxiety, anger and growing public dissatisfaction.

Allegations of Corruption

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has acknowledged mistakes in the prohibited list and apologised, raising expectations of swift corrective action. However, allegations of corruption have emerged at the field level. Citizens reportedly claim that some revenue officials demand money for removing properties from the 22A list, with references to payments allegedly being shared with senior officials.

The removal process has consequently become another source of public frustration and allegations of irregularities.

Powers Centralised Under Dharani

The controversy also recalls problems that emerged after Dharani was introduced under the previous BRS government. While registrations were generally processed quickly, corrections involving names, boundaries, survey numbers or land extent were centralised with the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) and the Chief Secretary.

Powers earlier exercised by tahsildars, RDOs and collectors were withdrawn, resulting in thousands of applications accumulating at higher levels. Many remained pending for months or even years, triggering widespread public anger.

Political analysts argue that the present 22A controversy could become a major liability for the Congress government if corrective measures are delayed. 

A Snake around Congress’s Neck

Political analysts warn that the 22A prohibited lands issue could become a major liability for the ruling Congress, similar to the problems Dharani created for the BRS. They urge the government to delist the affected lands quickly, free of cost and without forcing citizens to repeatedly visit revenue offices.

With around one lakh acres reportedly on the prohibited list, delays could deepen public anger and erode trust in the government.