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The recent dispute surrounding the 400-acre land in Kancha Gachibowli has brought the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) and the Telangana state government into direct conflict. The government's decision to resume the land has sparked considerable debate and drawn criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These parties allege that the government's actions are detrimental to the university and could lead to the destruction of natural resources within the disputed area. However, the government vehemently denies these accusations, asserting that the land does not rightfully belong to HCU and that it is committed to protecting the environment. The heart of the issue lies in the ownership of the land. The state government maintains that HCU does not possess any legal rights to the 400 acres in question. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and D. Sridhar Babu have repeatedly emphasized that the government would not encroach on any land belonging to the university. They also stated that the government is committed to the preservation of the lake and rock formations located within the 400-acre area, directly contradicting the opposition's claims of environmental damage. To support its position, the government has released revenue records, purportedly demonstrating that the land does not belong to HCU. These records, according to the government, have also been verified by the High Court. The ministers further accuse the BRS and BJP of attempting to mislead the public for their own political advantage, labeling their alliance as a "Fevicol bond" aimed at impeding the state's development. The ministers specifically targeted the BRS, highlighting that while they were in power for a decade, they failed to address the land dispute. They criticize the BRS for now engaging in "mudslinging" against the Congress government, which they claim successfully resolved the legal dispute that had been pending in the Supreme Court for almost two decades. In contrast to the opposition's accusations, the government asserts that it has been actively engaged in discussions with HCU to resolve the land issue amicably. According to the ministers, they held meetings with the university's Vice-Chancellor and Registrar a week before the announcements and have initiated a process to grant legal rights to the university on the land specifically earmarked for it. They also refuted claims that they are dismantling natural rock formations and water bodies for development, stating that a comprehensive action plan is in place to ensure their protection. The government argues that its intervention was crucial to prevent the encroachment of the valuable land by vested interests. They accuse the opposition of hypocrisy, stating that they did nothing to address the issue during their decade-long rule but are now attempting to create confusion among the public. Revenue Minister Bhatti Vikramarka challenged the opposition parties to provide evidence of any disturbance to animals or natural features within the 400 acres. He further alleged that a former BRS minister had attempted to illegally seize 27 acres of land adjacent to the disputed area, but the Congress government thwarted the attempt. The government also claims that it has received representations from HCU teaching faculty and students seeking legal rights to the land belonging to the university. In response, the government has requested them to submit a formal representation so that the department can begin the process of regularizing the land in the university's name. This move is presented as evidence of the government's commitment to resolving the issue fairly and transparently. The dispute highlights several key issues. First, it raises questions about the transparency and accountability of land allocation and ownership in Telangana. The conflicting claims about the ownership of the land demonstrate the need for a clear and comprehensive land record system. Second, the dispute underscores the importance of balancing development with environmental protection. The allegations of potential environmental damage highlight the need for careful planning and impact assessments to ensure that development projects do not harm natural resources. Third, the dispute reveals the deep-seated political rivalries in Telangana. The accusations and counter-accusations between the ruling Congress party and the opposition BRS and BJP demonstrate the extent to which political considerations can influence policy decisions. Ultimately, the resolution of the Kancha Gachibowli land dispute will have significant implications for HCU, the environment, and the political landscape of Telangana. It is crucial that the government acts in a transparent and impartial manner to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are considered. The allegations of the BRS and BJP parties need also to be considered and the parties involved may need to provide strong and valid proof of each claim, along with any other supporting documents related to the matter. The state government's stance in this situation appears to be one that favors development and preventing illegal occupation of land by private individuals and this is a stance that has to be balanced against any claims of ecological damage. The ministers also attempted to paint the opposition with a negative brush, and this type of political sparring will need to be viewed skeptically. The most important factor is the outcome for the Hyderabad Central University as the institution provides a great degree of benefit to students of the state of Telangana. The government needs to provide the necessary documentation that substantiates its claim of ownership of the land, and to provide proof that any land allocated to the university will have no negative impact on the university or the future of the students.
Source: Not even an inch of Kancha Gachibowli land belongs to HCU, asserts govt.