KTR writes to Rahul to break silence on ₹5 lakh crore alleged HILTP land scam in Telangana

HYDERABAD

Working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) K.T. Rama Rao on Sunday addressed an open letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressing deep concern over ‘one of the biggest land scams in independent India’ now taking place in Telangana under the Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation Policy (HILTP) policy introduced recently by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

He stated that the policy has triggered widespread alarm across Telangana and the citizens were questioning whether the Congress high command was aware of the scale of misappropriation unfolding in the State. The policy could result in a loss worth ₹5 lakh crore to the people of Telangana by enabling private entities to acquire highly valuable public lands at a fraction of their actual market value.

Mr. Rama Rao explained that previous governments had allotted nearly 9,300 acres of industrial land in Hyderabad in key clusters such as Balanagar, Jeedimetla, Sanathnagar, Ramachandrapuram, Hayathnagar, Mallapur and Uppal. These lands were originally provided at concessional rates to promote industrial growth, employment generation and long-term economic development.

Under the HILTP, industrial landholders could now convert these lands into commercial or residential zones by paying only 30% of the SRO (Sub-Registrar Office) value despite current market prices being several times higher. The policy effectively converts public assets into massive private windfall gains with land valued at lakhs of crores being regularised for a minimal cost, the BRS leader stated.

He raised doubts over the government’s decision to offer fast-track approvals within 45 days for conversions involving assets worth thousands of crores. He argued that such hasty processing would raise questions about transparency, due diligence and the possibility of undue political influence.

The BRS leader listed several shortcomings of the policy, including the fact that relocation was purely voluntary, approvals were being given on a case-by-case basis and no mandatory conditions or timelines imposed on industries to shift. He pointed out that the policy would not identify any alternative sites for industries willing to relocate.