Telangana government to HC: Shankar given land at subsidised rate for film studio

Hyderabad: The state government told the Telangana High Court said five acres of land had been allotted to film director N. Shankar at Mokila village at Rs 5 lakh per acre on the basis of certain assurances provided by him.

Replying to questions posed by the court, Arvind Kumar, prinicipal secretary, municipal administration, said Shankar was a well-known director from the state with 36 years of experience in the film industry. The land was allotted to him only on basis of his assurance that he will invest nearly Rs 50 crore to set up a world-class film studio and training institute.

The government and Shankar filed the affidavits on a PIL which has challenged the allotment of the parcel of land. The PIL us coming up for hearing on November 18.

The government said that Shankar had committed to providing regular employment to 100 people and temporary employment to another 100, apart from recruiting cine workers. The government submitted that Shankar had already deposited Rs 4.40 crore to invest in the land as per his commitment.

With regard to the apprehension that land worth around Rs 5 crores per acre had been given to the director for Rs 5 lakh, the government said that registered valuation was Rs 20 lakh per acre. It said that land along the Mokila main road was valued at Rs 2 crore but the land to Shankar was 2 km to the interior.

In a separate affidavit, Shankar submitted to the court that he had not used his popularity or his local origins to get the land from the TS government. The then undivided AP government had agreed to give him the land in 2012, but it did not materilise. After the state formation, the government had alloted the land, he told the court.