Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Minister for Revenue, Housing, and Information & Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has issued a stern warning that strict action, including suspensions, will be taken against officials who harass farmers under the pretext of resolving land-related grievances. "If farmers are troubled in the name of Bhu Bharati implementation, we will not hesitate to take disciplinary measures," he said during a high-level video conference with district collectors held at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Tuesday.

The Minister emphasised the need for effective and transparent implementation of the Bhu Bharati Act and Indiramma Housing Scheme, both of which reflect the aspirations of Telangana’s people under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s leadership. Joined by Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman Kumar, along with Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, the Minister stated that all land issues raised during the three phases of revenue meetings must be resolved at the earliest, preferably by August 15.

Out of the 8.65 lakh applications received, nearly 6 lakh pertain to key issues like Sada Bainama, missing survey numbers, assigned lands, regularisation, and succession. The Minister directed collectors to divide the cases into five categories and conduct detailed assessments. He urged officials not to reject applications arbitrarily and to provide written explanations for all rejections.

On housing, Ponguleti stressed that no poor beneficiary should face hurdles in constructing a home under the Indiramma scheme. He directed officials to ensure timely supply of free sand close to construction sites to avoid burdening beneficiaries with high transport costs. He also warned against police cases being filed on beneficiaries using locally available soil for construction, calling it an unjust act.

Ponguleti expressed concern that despite numerous welfare initiatives, the government’s achievements have not been effectively communicated. He accused the BRS party of indulging in misinformation campaigns. “It is the duty of I&PR department and staff to make sure government programs reach the people,” he said. Highlighting successes, he noted that 15 lakh poor individuals were registered for ration cards—pending for over a decade—and 7 lakh new ration cards were issued. Despite financial constraints, the Congress-led government continues its pro-poor agenda, he added.