Hyderabad: Within 24 hours of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy declaring that he would oversee the demolition of his relatives’ houses if they were found to be in the full tank level (FTL) or buffer zones of water bodies, the revenue department issued notices to his brother Anumula Tirupati Reddy on Thursday stating his house and office were in the buffer zone of the Durgam Cheruvu.
Revenue officials, in the notice pasted on Tirupati Reddy’s house in Amar Co-operative Society in Madhapur, gave a 30-day notice period to demolish the structure under Section 23 (1) of the Telangana Water, Land and Trees Act (Walta), 2002, failing which they would bring down the structure.
The notice issued by the deputy collector stated that the department had identified several structures built on the FTL and buffer zone of the Durgam Cheruvu, and structures constructed on the nala by diverting the flow of water as per the village map.
The notices were issued to several houses and private enterprises across Kavuri Hills, Nectors Colony, Doctors Colony and Amar Co-operative Society. All the structures were given a one-month notice for demolition by the owners.
Speaking to media persons about the notice, Tirpuati Reddy said: "The previous owner took permission and constructed the house. I just purchased an already-built house. I do not know anything about the house being on FTL land or buffer zone.”
“If the government determines the property is built on illegal land, we will demolish the property. If any illegal work is done, legal action has to be taken. If some time is given, I’ll take my items and move out,” Tirupati Reddy stated.
He stated that the layout was sanctioned before the Walta was enacted, and he did not know what happened after the law came into force. He further said, “My brother is not working for me, he is working for the people. Whatever has to be done, the officials have to do it.”
Responding to the criticism of BRS leaders, Tirupati Reddy said: “The BRS leaders are doing all this to divert the attention of the public. In the last 10 years of their government, a lot of illegal activities have taken place. They are using all of these tactics just to divert the attention from their illegal activities.”
