Issue of contention: 9,292 acres (Rs 40-50 cr/acre) regularized at just 30% of outdated SRO rates

KTR alleges

9,292 acres of prime land in areas like Balanagar, Jeedimetla, Sanathnagar, and Azamabad – originally allotted at subsidised rates or acquired from farmers to promote employment – are now being "gifted" to private players at throwaway prices

Sridhar Babu replies

HILTP is not about selling land but enabling land-use conversion for genuine industries on privately held/leased plots, generating ₹4,000-5,000 crore in revenue for the state. The 30% is only an 'impact fee' for changing land use – not the land price itself. This follows GOs issued during the BRS rule, which we're now implementing transparently

metro india news  I hyderabad

In a fiery escalation of political rivalry, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress government of orchestrating the "largest land scam in India's history" through the newly approved Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy (HILTP).

KTR claimed the policy is a calculated move to siphon off public assets worth up to ₹5 lakh crore to benefit the CM's relatives, middlemen, and real estate cronies. Hours later, IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu held a combative press conference at the Secretariat, dismissing KTR's charges as "wild lies and desperate misinformation" aimed at derailing Telangana's growth, while accusing the previous BRS regime of financial mismanagement and hypocrisy.

It's a blueprint for daylight robbery: KTR

Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan, KTR painted a damning picture of the HILTP, which allows conversion of idle industrial lands within Hyderabad's Outer Ring Road into multi-use zones (residential, commercial, IT, etc.). He alleged that 9,292 acres of prime land in areas like Balanagar, Jeedimetla, Sanathnagar, and Azamabad – originally allotted at subsidised rates or acquired from farmers to promote employment – are now being "gifted" to private players at throwaway prices.

Current open-market value is ₹40-50 crore per acre, putting the total worth at ₹4-5 lakh crore. Yet, the policy regularises these lands by charging only 30% of the outdated Sub-Registrar Office (SRO) rate, which KTR said is already 4-5 times below actual market prices. "Even the full SRO isn't being collected – just 30%! The remaining lakhs of crores will flow straight into private pockets," he thundered.

KTR claimed the policy is tailor-made for Revanth Reddy's brothers, close aides, and land dealers. "Deals were struck even before Cabinet approval. That's why the process is suspiciously rushed: applications in 7 days, approvals in 7 days, full regularisation in 45 days. Why the hurry for lands worth lakhs of crores?"

These lands were meant for job creation and industry. "We rejected similar pleas from brokers during BRS rule because public land can't be sold cheaply for private profit. But Revanth is doing exactly what we stopped," KTR said, recalling how his government charged a 100-200% premium over SRO for similar regularisations in Azamabad.

Labelling Revanth a "Real Estate CM" surrounded by dealers, KTR accused the Congress of turning HILTP into an "ATM for the party." He linked it to alleged grabs on Musi riverfront, Metro, and University of Hyderabad lands. He warned industrialists and developers: "Any deals under HILTP will be reversed when BRS returns. We'll probe fully and initiate criminal action – no one will be spared."

Demanding immediate scrapping of the policy, KTR suggested reclaiming 50% land for public use and auctioning the rest like in Mumbai, while challenging BJP to oppose it or admit collusion.

KTR is spreading lies to scare investors: Sridhar Babu

In a sharp counter at the Secretariat, IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu tore into KTR's narrative, calling it "baseless propaganda from a defeated leader seeing stars in broad daylight after Jubilee Hills' loss." He clarified that HILTP is not about selling land but enabling land-use conversion for genuine industries on privately held/leased plots, generating ₹4,000-5,000 crore in revenue for the state.

"KTR is deliberately confusing conversion charges with land value. The 30% is only an 'impact fee' for changing land use – not the land price itself. This follows GOs issued during the BRS rule, which we're now implementing transparently."

The IT Minister accused KTR of mixing up freehold conversion (a separate process) with land-use change. "BRS itself brought policies for such conversions and collected fees – where was the scam then?" "Previous government converted many lands arbitrarily. If KTR has evidence of pre-deals or named individuals in the government benefiting, prove it – we'll act immediately. Baseless allegations without proof are just scare tactics to block investments and jobs."

Sridhar Babu said the policy aims to revitalise underused industrial zones, attract global investments, and make Hyderabad a true global city. "BRS wants to stall progress because they're out of power. They're threatening industries – this will drive away capital when we need employment."

He mocked KTR's "windy talks" and invited meaningful debate: "If you speak facts, we'll respond. But lies? Only BRS excels at that." The heated exchange has intensified Telangana's political temperature, with opposition parties piling on criticism of HILTP while the Congress insists it's a progressive step for urban renewal and economic boost.