HYDERABAD: The High Court on Wednesday asked the Telangana government not to take possession of the subject lands acquired for Komaravelli Mallannasagar reservoir in Vemulaghat and Etigadda Kistapur villages in Thoguta mandal in Siddipet district till the rehabilitation and resettlement package benefits under the new Land Acquisition Act, 2013 were extended to the agricultural labour and others who fall under the affected families category.
Justice MS Ramachandra Rao passed this interim order on two petitions filed by T Yellavva and 19 other agricultural labourers from Vemulaghat village and N Saritha and 92 other agricultural labourers and others from Etigadda Kistapur village seeking directions to the authorities concerned to comply with all provisions of the Act 2013 before taking possession of the subject lands procured under GO 123 for the purpose of Mallannasagar reservoir, a part of the mammoth Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.
The petitioners’ counsel submitted that the state government had acquired the subject lands in both the villages under GO 123 by purchasing directly from the land owners. The authorities were now resorting to take possession of these lands without providing the rehabilitation and resettlement package benefits under the Act 2013 to those who depended on such lands for eking out their livelihood.
He urged the court to grant stay on taking possession and initiation of any kind of construction activities in the subject lands, and to allow them to continue with their agriculture operations. The judge admitted the petition and adjourned the hearing.