The political landscape of Telangana is witnessing intense scrutiny over the Dharani portal, a digital initiative aimed at simplifying land management. Congress has raised serious allegations against the BRS government, claiming that millions of acres of land have been illegally occupied following the introduction of Dharani. The party accuses the BRS of enabling encroachments on lands previously categorized as “prohibited.”
The Dharani Committee has focused its investigation on these claims, probing irregularities under the previous government that converted ‘prohibited’ lands into patta lands. In a recent assembly session, Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy hinted at a significant revelation concerning Dharani that would surface before Diwali, stirring public interest and political debate across Telangana.
While the BRS touts Dharani as a revolutionary tool for land management, Congress has labeled it a “carafe for looting.” The contentious issue of land rights emerged as a hot topic during the recent assembly elections, influencing voter sentiment and party strategies.
The emotional weight of land ownership in Telangana cannot be overstated. Farmers, often deeply connected to their ancestral land, are expressing concerns over potential losses. The shifting political climate in Andhra Pradesh is underscoring the urgency of land-related issues, with the Congress party capitalizing on this sentiment to garner support.
When Dharani was launched in 2020, then Chief Minister KCR proclaimed it a monumental achievement. It was marketed as a corruption-free solution that would streamline land transactions by eliminating the discretionary powers of revenue officials. Promises of online services and rapid registration were central to this narrative. However, the system’s implementation has faced criticism, particularly from Congress leaders like Revanth Reddy, who have called for its cancellation, arguing that it has led to widespread irregularities.
Evidence suggests that since the Dharani portal’s implementation, significant changes have occurred, including allegations of unlawful transfers of land previously deemed unsellable. Congress’s recent inquiries into over 25 lakh transactions conducted through the Dharani platform have revealed concerning discrepancies, prompting fears among farmers and landowners.
Despite the BRS’s defense of the portal, including acknowledgment of “errors” by KTR and Harish Rao, the debate around Dharani’s effectiveness continues. Critics point out that while the system was intended to simplify land records, it has inadvertently led to complications, with accusations that corrupt practices have emerged, allowing for the easy manipulation of land ownership.
In response, the Congress government is spearheading a thorough overhaul, with the introduction of the ‘Record of Rights-2024′ bill. This new legislation aims to address the shortcomings of the Dharani system by establishing clearer guidelines and more robust processes for land transactions, emphasizing farmers’ rights.
The transfer of management of the Dharani portal from a foreign company to the National Informatics Centre is another significant development, as Congress seeks to regain public trust regarding land governance.
As political tensions rise and accusations swirl, the fate of the Dharani portal hangs in the balance. With allegations of widespread land grabs and irregularities, the upcoming political “bomb” hinted by Minister Ponguleti may reshape the narrative around land management in Telangana. The stakes are high, and the implications for farmers and the political landscape are profound as the new government prepares to make its case.
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