22-A Row: Minister Ponguleti Says Sorry, Accepts as Officials Mistake

Amidst growing complaints and grievances against the 22-A blocklisted properties, Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has come out in the open and apologised. He accepted that some errors had taken place from the officers end while updating the properties blocklist under 22-A. The Revenue Minister clarified that the state government has no intention of causing problems for private property owners.

Ponguleti said the government has received around 750 applications from Hyderabad, Medchal, Rangareddy and Sangareddy districts over private lands being included in the 22-A blocklisted properties.

He clarified that blocklisted properties were earlier included in the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) list. He said errors occurred while updating these properties under 22-A blocklist. Ponguleti apologised on behalf of the officials and said genuine private properties would be removed from the 22-A list soon. Ponguleti said officials from all four districts held discussions on the issue.

Ponguleti asked property owners with valid land records not to worry. He also said people facing issues related to the 22-A list can contact the government toll-free number 18005994788. The minister assured that the government would take steps to correct the errors and protect the rights of genuine private property owners.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of properties in the 22-A list has reportedly created problems for owners who want to sell their homes, plots or commercial properties. Some owners say they need to sell their properties for major expenses such as children’s marriages, overseas education, medical treatment and other financial needs. The property owners claim that they had purchased their properties legally years ago with proper documents and approvals, but their properties were later added to the prohibited list.

Properties in several parts of Hyderabad and surrounding areas have been affected. These include 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.

The victims of 22-A have been approaching registration offices and collectorates seeking clarification and removal of their properties from the 22-A list.