Hyderabad: Former minister T. Harish Rao demanded immediate talks with 6,000 licensed surveyors and criticised the government’s handling of their protest and subsequent police detention.
Addressing licensed surveyors at Telangana Bhavan, the BRS leader accused the government of using force against people seeking resolution of their demands. Harish Rao alleged that police dragged protesting surveyors away and detained them at police stations. He also claimed that detainees were not provided food.
He called on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy to resolve the dispute before the agitation intensified. The former minister said the 6,000 surveyors and their families could emerge as a significant force if their grievances remained unresolved.
Licensed surveyors protest draws Harish Rao warning
Harish Rao criticised IAS officer Lokesh Kumar over alleged remarks concerning the protesting surveyors. He said many licensed surveyors had qualifications including B.Tech, M.Tech and civil engineering degrees.
According to Harish Rao, Lokesh Kumar had made an irresponsible remark while referring to surveyors who approached the government with their problems. He alleged that the officer said Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy would have hit them with whatever was available in his hand.
Harish Rao described the alleged remarks as evidence of arrogance and suppression by the government. He also referred to a recent student and youth agitation in Delhi. Harish Rao claimed the protest had created circumstances in which a Union minister had to resign.
He warned the government against underestimating young people and asked Revanth Reddy and Ponguleti to consider the consequences if surveyors mobilised collectively. However, he demanded that the government avoid such a situation by immediately inviting the surveyors for discussions.
Harish Rao questions government response to surveyors
Harish Rao alleged that the government had questioned surveyors about approaching him and other BRS leaders. He said people approached opposition parties when the government failed to address their problems.
According to him, standing with people facing difficulties and pressuring the government to act remained the opposition’s democratic responsibility. The BRS leader also criticised the functioning of Chief Minister’s Office officials. He referred to an alleged interaction involving Chinna Reddy and CMO Special Secretary Seshadri.
Harish Rao claimed Chinna Reddy spoke to Seshadri over a loudspeaker. He further alleged that instructions were given not to engage with the surveyors because the Chief Minister’s “ego was hurt.”
He questioned whether personal egos or public grievances should receive greater priority. Harish Rao said public authority came from citizens and reminded officials that their salaries came from taxpayers’ money.
Licensed surveyors protest highlights pay concerns
Harish Rao also raised concerns about the financial position of licensed surveyors. He said two surveyors had died by suicide after facing debt and difficulties in supporting their families.
According to Harish Rao, licensed surveyors had no minimum salary, travel allowance, daily allowance or health insurance. He said they also had to spend their own money while undertaking survey work.
Harish Rao questioned how surveyors could sustain themselves when they received only ₹60 per acre after spending money on fuel and food. He cited an example of spending ₹100 on petrol and another ₹50 on a meal while receiving the low survey payment.
The BRS leader also made a serious allegation concerning district officials. He claimed that when surveyors raised their financial problems with Collectors, they were told to collect money through bribes.
Harish Rao described the alleged response as evidence of the government’s failure to provide a viable system for surveyors. The former minister also challenged Revanth Reddy’s claims about government recruitment.
He accused the Chief Minister of falsely claiming that the Congress government had provided 70,000 jobs. Harish Rao said the previous K. Chandrashekar Rao government had issued notifications, conducted examinations and declared results for several recruitments.
According to him, the Congress government had subsequently issued appointment letters and claimed credit for those jobs. He further claimed that the government had admitted in the Assembly that it had provided only 16,500 jobs.
Harish Rao also referred to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi’s earlier promise of two lakh jobs within a year. He accused the government of counting the 6,000 survey licences as employment while presenting its recruitment record.
Harish Rao urged licensed surveyors not to lose hope because of their financial and professional difficulties. He appealed to them not to take extreme steps and assured them of support from the BRS.
The former minister said the party would stand with surveyors while pressing the government to address their grievances. He reiterated his demand for immediate discussions between the government and representatives of the 6,000 licensed surveyors.