Land sharks grab government lands

Gajularamaram: Local Revenue department officials are allegedly allowing land-grabbers to take control of government lands worth crores of rupees. It is not that they are not aware of encroachments, as the staff, right from VROs to higher-ups, goes round Chandanagar on a daily basis. They choose to ignore illegal constructions in government lands for ‘mamools’, resulting in loss of precious and costly lands. In cases where ten rooms have been constructed, they are only demolishing the basement.

Because of the casual and negligent attitude of the Revenue officials, illegal constructions are increasing by the day in Kattamaisamma locality (survey no 329/1) of Devendernagar. Land-grabbers are allegedly able to earn crores by selling 60 yard site to the poor for amounts ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. They are able to dictate to the Revenue officials, because of which the area has become an ‘adda’ of unauthorised structures.

The attitude of officials is posing a threat to a reservoir built on a hill near Kattamaisamma locality under the Mission Bhagiratha, being taken up by the government as a prestigious programme. It is one of the six reservoirs built in Qutbullapur. A person has been digging in the area surrounding the hill using JCBs for taking up constructions. Speaking to the Hans India, local residents fear that the reservoir may collapse. They want the concerned officials to take note of the illegal activities in Devendernagar, as innumerable complaints to the Revenue staff have fallen on deaf ears. They wonder whether the Revenue office is existing in the area at all.  

The residents allege that a department official has been able to retain his post in the area for five years thanks to the support being extended by people’s representatives, after being transferred thrice. This is resulting in the loss of government lands and mushrooming of illegal ventures, as the officials is allegedly taking care not to allow another officer to replace him. The residents demanded district officials to change the Revenue department staff/officials so as to protect government lands.