TSRTC Merger, Land Reforms Among 70 Bills Passed by Telangana Assembly

Hyderabad: The second Assembly, whose term will end soon, passed around 70 Bills on various subjects, the most notable of which was related to land reforms, as was the one related to merger of TSRTC with the government, and increasing retirement age of government employees, among others.

It also saw repeated conflicts between the government and Raj Bhavan on several legislations and frayed nerves and tempers between the two sides.

One of the most significant legislations was the Telangana Rights in Land and Pattadar Passbooks Act 2020, that paved the way for transfer of title deeds using the Dharani portal. Also seeking to eliminate illegal activities in land registration issues, or transfer of title deeds, the state government enacted the Telangana Abolition of the Posts of Village Revenue Officers Bill 2020, which also saw removal of the positions of village revenue assistants.

Though the two legislations were aimed at cleaning up a corrupt system, opposition parties have repeatedly expressed displeasure at the use of Dharani portal which they say resulted in more corruption and eased the way for ruling BRS leaders to grab large swathes of land, something the government has rejected.

Another important legislation was the TS Building Permission Approval & Self-certification System (TS-bPass) Bill which provides approvals for constructing buildings in plots of up to 75 square yards without building permission or occupancy certificates, and instant permissions for up to  500 square yards.

Though there were differences in view of the government’s intentions in enacting new legislations, and the Governor’s office not agreeing with several of these, the Governor did approve the Bill relating to the merger of TSRTC with the state government, but only after holding back her assent for some time and holding consultation. Some of the Bills that still need the final assent from the Governor include one relating to setting up of private universities, and one of increasing the number of co-opted members in the GHMC Council.