The Telangana government has initiated a major investigation into alleged large-scale encroachment of valuable government land belonging to the Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) in Hyderabad. On Tuesday, the state ordered a comprehensive Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) inquiry following mounting allegations that prime land in Balanagar has been illegally taken over.
Scope of the Vigilance and Enforcement Probe
The inquiry will focus on the alleged grabbing of government land, specifically in survey No. 376, which encompasses parts of the IDPL estate. Official sources indicate the probe will meticulously examine several critical aspects of the case from the last ten years.
Investigators will scrutinize the conversion of land use involving IDPL property. They will also review the building permissions granted by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Furthermore, the role of civic agencies in providing infrastructure to potentially encroached layouts will be under the lens.
The inquiry will assess the provision of roads, water supply, and electricity connections by bodies like the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL). The core allegation is that over 100 acres of IDPL land has been usurped by private developers and transformed into residential layouts.
Political Crossfire Over Land Allegations
The controversy has ignited a fierce political battle. Kukatpally MLA Madhavaram Krishna Rao and Telangana Jagruthi founder Kalvakuntla Kavitha have exchanged serious accusations regarding land grabbing and illegal conversion of industrial land for non-industrial purposes.
Welcoming the government's decision, Kavitha stated that the inquiry was a direct result of Telangana Jagruthi's efforts. She revealed that during her recent 'Jagruthi Janam Baata' programme in Medchal district, local residents alerted her to encroachments on government land, including IDPL property.
"Truth must come out through this inquiry," Kavitha said. She added that the probe would bring clarity on what she termed as false allegations made against her family by political opponents. She urged the government to conduct the investigation swiftly and ensure the recovery of all encroached land, asserting that such land rightfully belongs to the public.
MLA Krishna Rao also expressed support for the probe, confirming he had written to the government requesting an impartial investigation. He stated his belief that the inquiry would "expose the real culprits and land grabbers" involved in the case.
Path Forward and Implications
The state government's order for a V&E inquiry marks a significant escalation in addressing long-standing concerns about prime public land being misappropriated in Hyderabad. The probe's findings are anticipated to have substantial repercussions, potentially leading to criminal proceedings and efforts to reclaim valuable state assets.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges of protecting government land in rapidly developing urban areas. The outcome of this vigilance inquiry is keenly awaited, as it promises to uncover the details of a major alleged land scam and hold accountable those responsible for the illegal conversion and encroachment of industrial land.
