Cancel land leases in SCB, Manohar Parrikar urged

Hyderabad: TS minister K.T. Rama Rao requested Union defence minister  Manohar Parrikar to involve the SCB in Hyderabad’s development. “Our goal is to develop Hyderabad. We want the Cantonment to take part in the development. We shall discuss the Cantonment road issue,” he said.

Along with Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya, MPs Malla Reddy, K. Kesava Rao, MLC N. Ramachandra Rao and others were also present at the inauguration of the Bolaram hospital.

Mr Dattatreya urged Mr Parrikar to issue clearances for land acquisition for the MMTS Phase-II. “When I was dealing with railways, the first phase of MMTS was introduced and it is being run successfully. The second phase requires defence lands at Suchitra to Balanagar. If the defence ministry clears the issue, the MMTS will be extended up to Medchal,” he said.

He requested Mr Parrikar to cancel all land leases in SCB. “B3 category defence lands were given to businessmen at low rates. If the Centre cancels these leases, the land can be utilised for public welfare,” he said.

Mr Malla Reddy said that the SCB was sharing up to Rs 100 crore in the form of taxes with the Centre. This was only Rs 20 crore earlier. “We, the citizens of SCB, are bearing the burden of additional taxes. A question is being raised whether we are living in India or Pakistan because of the fear of the military. They are imposing restrictions on roads. The Board is demolishing our houses. We need the restrictions to be lifted and a stoppage to demolitions,” he said.

Cantonment CEO Sujatha Gupta, Brigadier Ajit Singh Negi, Defence estates’ higher officials, SCB members and others were present.