Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao demanded the immediate removal of genuine farmers’ properties from the 22-A prohibited list. He alleged that 42,867 acres had been included across seven mandals in the Sirpur-Kagaznagar region.
Harish Rao raised the farmers lands 22-A issue during a large BRS protest programme at Koutala. Former MLA Koneru Konappa led the protest.
The BRS leader alleged that thousands of acres belonging to farmers had been placed under restrictions through their inclusion in the prohibited list. He also demanded an inquiry into how the lands were included.
According to Harish Rao, the affected land was spread across seven mandals. He said Koutala accounted for 6,350 acres, while Chintalamanepally had 8,878 acres on the list.
Bejjur accounted for 8,325 acres, while Kagaznagar had 6,690 acres. In addition, he cited 4,406 acres in Sirpur-T and 2,950 acres in Penchikalpet.
Dahegaon accounted for another 5,268 acres, according to the figures presented by Harish Rao. Together, he said, the affected land measured 42,867 acres.
Farmers lands 22-A restrictions causing hardship: Harish Rao
Harish Rao alleged that the restrictions had caused severe difficulties for farmers in the affected mandals. He said farmers could not obtain bank loans against the properties included in the prohibited list.
Moreover, he alleged that they could neither sell their lands nor register property transactions. The restrictions also prevented farmers from using their land to meet the needs of their children, he said.
Harish Rao accused the Congress government of adopting double standards in dealing with properties included in the 22-A list.
“If Revanth Reddy’s own property could be removed from the 22-A list overnight, why can’t the lands of poor farmers be removed?” he asked.
The BRS leader demanded that the government immediately identify and remove genuine farmers’ lands from the prohibited list. He also sought an investigation into the circumstances that led to their inclusion.
Farmers lands 22-A issue raises questions for Revenue Minister
Harish Rao also sought accountability from Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy over the controversy.
He questioned the Minister’s claim that not even a single acre had been added to the prohibited properties list. Harish Rao contrasted that assertion with his allegation that 42,867 acres had been included across seven mandals.
The former minister also widened his criticism to the Congress government’s electoral commitments. He accused the government of failing to implement several promises during what he described as nearly 1,000 days in office.
In particular, Harish Rao raised issues concerning pensions and Kalyana Lakshmi. He also accused the government of failing to fulfil commitments related to KCR Kits and Dalit Bandhu.
The BRS protest at Koutala focused primarily on the farmers lands 22-A dispute and the restrictions faced by affected landholders. Harish Rao demanded both immediate removal of genuine farmers’ properties and an inquiry into their inclusion.