TDP Legislators Slam Revenue Minister Over Land Grievance Delays in Andhra Assembly
Revenue Minister Anagani Satyaprasad faced intense criticism from TDP legislators during Friday's assembly session in Vijayawada, as multiple members expressed frustration over the revenue department's failure to address public grievances related to land disputes. The heated exchange occurred during Question Hour, highlighting growing tensions over unresolved issues that have persisted for nearly two decades in some cases.
Public Anger Over Section 22-A Land Disputes
Legislators reported being under severe pressure from constituents, particularly regarding lands listed under Section 22-A, which designates prohibited properties. They emphasized that citizens' patience has worn thin after twenty months of the current government's tenure, with many warning they can no longer withstand the mounting public anger. The situation has created a significant political challenge for ruling party members facing reelection pressures.
Specific Cases Highlight Systemic Failures
Senior legislator Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary demanded concrete timelines for resolution, arguing that blaming previous administrations has become an unacceptable excuse for inaction. Ponnur MLA Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar presented detailed concerns about house-site disputes under Section 22-A, revealing that thousands of sites assigned nearly forty years ago remain locked in prohibitory registers despite repeated appeals and official conferences.
Narendra Kumar expressed particular dismay at ministerial claims that grievances had already been addressed, pointing out that while meetings had occurred, most substantive issues remained completely unresolved. He further alleged that land originally assigned to scheduled caste communities had been forcibly taken over by a former legislator in his constituency, with no corrective action taken despite clear evidence of wrongdoing.
Speaker Intervenes as Crisis Deepens
Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu intervened in the discussion, urging the revenue minister to treat the matter with utmost seriousness since all legislators across party lines face similar backlash from frustrated constituents. The speaker's unusual intervention underscored the widespread nature of the problem and its potential to damage political credibility across the assembly.
Citizens continue to shuttle between government offices without meaningful relief, Narendra Kumar noted, describing how even after twenty months of NDA rule at both state and central levels, basic land rights issues remain unaddressed for vulnerable populations.
Government Response and Proposed Solutions
In his response, Minister Anagani Satyaprasad assured the assembly that the government remains committed to resolving all land disputes systematically. He acknowledged that 61% of complaints received through the Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) pertain specifically to revenue department matters, confirming the scale of the challenge.
The minister revealed that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been personally monitoring the situation through monthly reviews, and a dedicated Group of Ministers has been constituted to study the complex issues and submit actionable recommendations. District collectors have already received directions to expedite certain categories of cases without unnecessary delays, particularly those involving long-pending grievances.
"The government is genuinely sensitive to these land issues and will resolve all legitimate grievances on priority basis," Anagani stated, while asking for additional time to implement comprehensive solutions across the state's bureaucratic machinery.
