Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS deputy floor leader T. Harish Rao opposed the reported transfer of valuable Azamabad Oilfed land to a private individual.
In an open letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday, Rao demanded that the government immediately stop the reported move. He accused the Congress government of benefiting private individuals instead of safeguarding public assets.
Rao said the Azamabad Oilfed land issue raised serious questions about the government’s intentions. He sought a clear explanation from the government over the proposed transfer.
The property, located in the Azamabad Industrial Area near RTC Cross Roads, measured 15,984 square yards. Its history dated back to 1954, when the land was originally leased to a private company for operating an oil mill. Subsequently, the company violated the lease conditions, according to Rao’s account. As a result, the government cancelled the lease in 1974.
Azamabad Oilfed land dispute dates back decades
The private company challenged the cancellation in the courts, and the litigation eventually reached the Supreme Court. According to Rao, a 1987 Supreme Court judgment left the company with only 1,277 square yards. The government took back the remaining 15,984 square yards.
Later, the government handed over that land to Oilfed through G.O. No. 93 in 1991. Since then, Oilfed, now Telangana Oilfed, had remained in possession of the property for more than three decades. The organisation had also been using and protecting the government property during this period, Rao said.
However, another attempt was made in 2003 to revive the cancelled lease through G.O. No. 366, he said. In 2015, the government itself issued a show-cause notice asking why that government order should not be withdrawn. The matter later came before the High Court. In 2022, the High Court directed the government to take a final decision on the issue.
“Despite the court orders and the government’s own records, why is the present government trying to give this valuable land to a private individual? The people of Telangana deserve a clear answer,” Rao said.
He also questioned the reported proposal under which Oilfed would receive only about 1,800 square yards. According to him, the remaining land would be handed over to a private party.
Harish questions Azamabad Oilfed land valuation
Rao claimed the Azamabad Oilfed land was worth around ₹500 crore in the open market. However, he questioned why the government was reportedly considering giving it away for ₹87 crore.
He further said Oilfed itself was prepared to pay ₹87 crore to the government to secure freehold rights over the property. Moreover, the organisation had kept the required amount ready through fixed deposits, he said.
“On the open market, this land is worth around ₹500 crore. Why is the government trying to give it away for just ₹87 crore?” Rao asked.
He also questioned why the government would prefer a private individual when its own organisation was prepared to make the payment.
“More importantly, Oilfed itself is ready to pay ₹87 crore to the government and has even kept the money ready through fixed deposits for securing freehold rights. When the government’s own organisation is ready to pay, why is the government choosing a private individual instead?” he asked.
Rao demanded that the government protect assets belonging to public sector institutions. He said the State should strengthen such organisations rather than transfer valuable government properties to private individuals.