VH to take up padayatra for \'duped\' farmers

Hyderabad: Even as the Congress continues its campaign against the state government's handling of the Dharani portal and farmer issues, former PCC chief V. Hanumantha Rao said he planned to undertake a padayatra in support of farmers who were “duped” into selling their land at  throwaway prices, particularly near the ORR (Outer Ring Road).

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Hanumantha Rao said that he had come across scores of cases where farmers had sold their properties at about Rs 25 lakh per acre after real estate developers tricked them.

"Now these land chunks cost around Rs 40 crore per acre at locations like Kokapet. These farmers who were enjoying the property for generations were duped into selling them. Government departments like GHMC or HMDA before giving permission for development should ensure that these farmers are duly compensated,” he said.

“If the officials fail to act, we shall be taking up the matter. I have decided to take out a padayatra while meeting affected farmers in villages from Kokapet to Keesara, after getting a nod from the Congress heads," he said.  

Hanumantha Rao, a former MP, alleged that the TRS government was working overtime for infrastructure companies as a real estate agent, pushing the farmers further into distress.

"Indira Gandhi by bringing in laws like the Urban Land Ceiling Act helped farmers, but the current state government is reversing the trend and creating new types of landlords. The government has created a situation where innocent farmers are tricked to sell lands,” the Congress leader said.

“If the KCR government is serious about supporting farmers, it should intervene and ensure that they get at least Rs 1 crore per acre from these infra companies. Dharani has done the damage and there remains the promise of three acres of land distribution to poor SCs. If the KCR government fails to pay heed, the movement will only intensify,"  he said.