On Sunday, September 20, Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy told Dalit communities in Hyderabad that the state will not acquire even a single inch of their land. The statement came as the government faced rumours that revenue officials had issued notices to 120 Dalit farmers in Erravalli village, Siddipet district, demanding documentation of ownership.
Reddy emphasized that confiscating land from Dalits or tribals contradicts the principles of the “people’s government” led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. He reassured listeners that there is no intention to acquire any private plot and urged them not to fear or feel anxious about their holdings.
The minister’s clarification followed the chief minister’s recent assembly remarks about an inquiry into former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s farmhouse at Erravalli. The chief minister claimed the property spans 700 acres, including 388 acres of government land, prompting speculation that nearby Dalit farms might be targeted.
Addressing the speculation, Reddy described land‑record verification, surveys and dispute resolution as routine administrative steps, not a pretext for seizure. He warned that certain influential figures were spreading false narratives to create panic among Dalits for personal gain. “Do not accept malicious propaganda without checking facts,” he said, urging the community to see through attempts to stir unrest for political mileage.
Reddy also highlighted the Congress party’s historical role in land reforms. He recalled that Congress governments have allotted roughly 25 lakh acres to Dalits in Telangana and granted rights over nearly 2 lakh acres of “Podu” forest land to tribal groups. According to the minister, these measures reflect a long‑standing commitment to social justice, poverty alleviation and empowerment of marginalised sections.
Concluding his address, Reddy affirmed that every government action related to land is lawful and transparent, and that the current administration will continue to safeguard Dalit land rights while pursuing broader development goals.
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📰 Source: Siasat Gulf