Uttam sets deadline for Rs 813-Cr payout to farmers

■ Orders War-Footing Disbursal of Land Acquisition Compensation

■ Collectors told to ensure reach of funds to farmers without delay

■ CM’s commitment to provide Rs 6,000 cr for LA intended to put projects on fast-track

metro india news  I hyderabad : Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday directed District Collectors and Irrigation officials to ensure that funds already released for land acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) reach affected farmers on a war footing, warning that money should not remain parked in government accounts while irrigation projects are held up.

Reviewing the progress of land acquisition and compensation disbursal with the District Collectors through a video conference, Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed concern that about Rs 813 crore was still pending for disbursement in the accounts of District Collectors, Revenue Divisional Officers and Special Deputy Collectors.

Officials informed the meeting that since April 1, tokens worth about Rs 3,101 crore had been submitted and around Rs 2,504 crore released towards land acquisition and R&R. Of the amount currently pending at the district level, about Rs 502 crore was with Land Acquisition Officers and another Rs 311 crore with Collectors.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said the accumulation of funds without their reaching land losers was a matter of concern. He asked Collectors to personally intervene and speed up negotiations to facilitate awards and payments.

“If the money has been released, it must reach the land-losing farmers. If for any genuine reason it cannot be disbursed, explain the reason and return the money instead of keeping it idle,” he said.

The Minister recalled that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had committed Rs 6,000 crore during 2026 for land acquisition, R&R and forest-related requirements of irrigation projects with a view to ensuring quick completion of the irrigation projects. He said these funds were being arranged outside the regular Irrigation budget so that lack of money would not delay priority projects.

Humane approach to farmers parting with land

Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to raise land acquisition tokens only after awards are passed and cases are ready for payment. Stressing a humane approach, he stated that compensation must closely match prevailing market values within legal frameworks, with statutory interest paid on delayed amounts. Court and title disputes will be compiled for focused action with the Advocate General.

Reviewing district bottlenecks—including Nalgonda, Yadadri-Bhongir, Narayanpet, Siddipet, Vikarabad, Jagtial, and Hanumakonda—the Minister highlighted delays in the Chintapalli, Pendlipakala, Udayasamudram, and Nellikallu projects. He emphasized compressing timelines for Pendlipakala, warning that SLBC tunnel investments will yield no benefit without the balancing reservoir. Uttam noted that pending land acquisition for distributary canals and minor stretches is currently holding back near-complete irrigation projects.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju advised prudent financial management, instructing Collectors to request funds only when payment-ready to prevent money lying idle in accounts.  Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, CM Secretary Manik Raj, Finance Secretary Sandeep Sultania, Land Acquisition Commissioner Siva Kumar Naidu, and District Collectors attended the review.