Telangana Government Initiates Statewide Forensic Audit of Dharani Portal Following Pilot Findings
In a significant move to address governance irregularities, the Telangana government has announced its decision to conduct comprehensive forensic audits across all districts of the state. This initiative specifically targets uncovering irregularities linked to the Dharani portal, the state's integrated land records management system.
Pilot Audit Reveals Widespread Violations
The decision comes after a pilot forensic audit conducted in Siddipet and Sircilla districts uncovered multiple violations and irregularities. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, addressing a high-level committee meeting at the secretariat on Saturday, revealed that the pilot project detected serious discrepancies that warrant statewide investigation.
The minister emphasized that those involved in misusing the Dharani portal for illegal land grabbing and siphoning off registration revenues would face strict legal consequences. He stated that the forensic audit was conducted with assistance from an agency affiliated with the central government, and the findings pointed to serious irregularities during the previous BRS government tenure.
Alarming Statistics from Initial Examination
Officials provided detailed statistics that highlight the scale of the issue:
- Approximately 52 lakh transactions have been recorded on the Dharani portal since its inception
- Out of these, 35 lakh transactions have been examined so far
- Initial scrutiny identified deficiencies in 4,848 cases
- Detailed investigation revealed that government dues worth 4 crore rupees were not paid in connection with 1,109 registration documents
- Criminal cases have been registered against 48 individuals across 35 mandals in nine districts
Political Context and Government Response
Minister Reddy dismissed allegations of large-scale corruption by BRS leaders as baseless, accusing opposition leaders of making statements primarily for political mileage. He clarified that the Congress government's approach would be systematic and transparent.
"Based on the pilot audit findings, we have decided to extend the forensic audit to all districts," the minister stated during the meeting. "This is not about political targeting but about ensuring proper governance and accountability."
Future Governance Plans
Beyond the audit initiative, the minister announced that the Congress government plans to undertake district reorganization after comprehensive consultation with citizens and stakeholders. He assured that this process would be conducted scientifically and with complete transparency, reflecting the government's commitment to systematic administrative improvements.
The statewide forensic audit represents a major step in the government's efforts to clean up land records management and ensure proper revenue collection through the Dharani portal system.
