Lakhs of Properties Around Hyderabad Hit by 22-A Blocklist

Latest reports say that several properties across Hyderabad have been added to the 22-A prohibited list by the state government. The move has left many property owners worried as they are now unable to sell their homes, plots and commercial properties.

Thousands of apartments, plots and commercial buildings across Greater Hyderabad have reportedly been added to the list. Owners say they are unable to sell their properties for major needs such as children’s marriages, overseas education, medical expenses and other financial requirements. This has added to their financial and mental stress.

Several properties that were legally purchased years ago with proper approvals have suddenly been marked as prohibited.

Areas with a large number of properties on the 22-A list are Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Gachibowli, Shaikpet, Ameerpet, Khairatabad, Punjagutta, Srinagar Colony, SR Nagar, Erragadda, Serilingampally, Rajendranagar, Shamshabad, Maheshwaram, Patancheru, Ramachandrapuram, Ameenpur, Bahadurpally, Quthbullapur, Malkajgiri and Uppal.

Many owners are visiting registration offices and collectorates, seeking the removal of their properties from the 22-A list, but are not getting clear answers.

According to reports, more than 54 per cent of the properties and lands on the prohibited list across Telangana are reportedly located in Medchal-Malkajgiri, Sangareddy, Rangareddy and Hyderabad districts only. Together, these four districts alone have more than one lakh houses, vacant plots, apartments and commercial properties listed under 22-A in revenue records.

Industry sources estimate that the market value of these properties could be over Rs 1 lakh crore. Banks have already given home loans and mortgage loans against many of these properties. With registrations now stopped, the issue is also causing concern in the banking sector.

What Is the 22-A Issue?

Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908 covers lands and properties that cannot be legally sold or registered. The list mainly includes government land, assigned land, temple and endowment properties, Waqf properties, surplus land under land ceiling laws and properties involved in court disputes. Theo’s problem has reportedly emerged after the Telangana state government added several properties to the 22-A list as part of the process of updating revenue records.