Hyderabad's Illegal Land Deals: Assigned Farmlands Becoming Prime Real Estate
Hyderabad: As land prices continue to skyrocket around Hyderabad, the illegal sale of government-assigned lands has become a widespread issue, especially in the Rangareddy, Medchal, and Vikarabad districts. Despite being designated for agricultural use and non-transferable by law, thousands of acres of assigned land are quietly changing hands. Assignees are allegedly selling these lands to real estate developers and builders for layouts, gated communities, villas, and apartment projects.
For assignees, these deals bring quick money, while developers get land at cheaper rates than the open market. It's a win-win for both sides, admitted officials. Blatant violations are becoming increasingly common. Take the case of Mankhal village in Maheshwaram mandal, where assignees signed an illegal agreement with a developer, giving away about two acres on a 33:67 development share. The Times of India (TOI) has accessed a copy of this agreement. In Tukkuguda, a developer illegally acquired nearly 24 acres of assigned land to build a gated community. Similar cases are surfacing in Kandukur, Yacharam, Abdullapurmet, and Maheshwaram mandals.
Officials estimate that of the 1.20 lakh acres of assigned land in Rangareddy district, about 10,000 acres have slipped into private hands illegally. After land acquisitions for various public purposes, around 75,000 acres of assigned land remains. Rangareddy district collector C Narayan Reddy said assigned land is being resumed wherever violations are detected. 'In Tukkuguda, 24 acres in five parcels have been taken back and will be used for public purposes,' he said.
Chevella revenue divisional officer K Chandrakala said that notices were served to farmers in Peddavidu, Maddur, and Solipet villages for violations, while in Moinabad and Shankarpally, nearly 100 acres are under resumption. In Medchal Malkajgiri district, the practice continues unchecked in areas like Ghatkesar and Shamirpet, sources say. Developers often use illegally purchased assigned land for internal roads, open spaces, and access roads in layouts, avoiding the expense of buying regular land.
In some cases, assignees sell the plots outright; in others, they enter into development agreements with builders. Assigned land was originally given by the government to landless poor for cultivation, with strict conditions: it cannot be sold or transferred, though it can pass to legal heirs. Under the Telangana Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, the government has powers to resume such land in case of violations.
