Opposition put ruling Congress on back foot over podu land issue

In particular, they are targeting in-charge minister Seethakka and forest minister Konda Surekha for being unable to resolve the podu land issue.

The age-old podu land issue has once again come to the fore with the onset of monsoon. While farmers, most of them Adivasi, are trying to cultivate podu lands, which had originally been forests, the forest department is attempting to raise nursery plantations on lands at some places.

BJP and BRS leaders are extending support to podu cultivators, hoping to make it a prime issue in the local body elections in future.

Under pressure, Congress leaders Boath assembly constituency led by Ade Gajender and TPCC general secretary Sathu Mallesh met the forest minister and requested her to instruct forest staff not to restrain podu cultivation in 174 compartments of Sirichelma in Ichoda mandal.

Podu cultivators of Keshavaptnam led by MLA Anil Jadhav met collector Rajarshi Shah and sought land titles for the lands they have been cultivating for a long time.

BJP and BRS MLAs visited places, where local farmers allege that forest staff have occupied their podu lands for which they have got pattas. Villagers of Ankushapur in Kagaznagar mandal too are accusing forest staff of trying to occupy their patta podu lands for raising plantations.

BJP MLA Palvai Harish Babu said local farmers have been cultivating 700 acres of land for a long time in survey number 145 on the outskirts of Ankushapur village. They have also got Rythu Bandhu benefits for these lands on which banks have also issued them loans to raise crops.

Atram Suguna, party leader who contested as MP, visited Ankoli village in Adilabad mandal, where local farmers are opposing forest staff who are trying to prevent them from cultivating podu lands.