HYDRAA mulls stern steps to check invasions of temple lands
Ranganath conducted a field level inspection in the wake of a complaint about the encroachment of temple lands in Jagadgirigutta of Quthbullapur constituency
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy Published on 18 Jan 2025 4:49 PM IST
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath during an inspection at Jagadgirigutta
Hyderabad: HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath on Saturday took serious cognizance of the invasions of temple lands in the name of caste communities for their own use, as well as the holding and sale of plots in the name of clans.
Ranganath conducted a field level inspection in the wake of a complaint about the encroachment of temple lands in Jagadgirigutta of Quthbullapur constituency. āThe agency examined the temple lands after a video shared by priest Narahari that Govindarajula Swamy temple pool and gundam are being occupied,ā he said.
During his visit, the residents informed the Commissioner that the area of āāJagadgiri Gutta temple complexes is up to 14.10 acres and Parki lake is more than 66 acres. After examining the premises, Ranganath assured that they will conduct a survey with the Survey of India (SoI) soon and protect the government lands.
He further said that the HYDRAA was formed in July 2024, and he clarified that the agency will not demolish pre-built habitations. He also warned that action will be taken against the encroachments after July 2024.
āWe will examine Google Maps and identify the encroachments after July 2024. Notices will be issued to the occupants. The HYDRAA police station will also start functioning in 15 days, and we will file non-bailable cases of squatters. Apart from that, we will also report the negligence of the local authorities to the government,ā the HYDRAA Commissioner said.
He also added that a meeting would be held at the HYDRAA office on January 22 with the locals regarding the Jagadgiri Gutta temple lands and the Parki lake. Ranganath suggested the locals attend the meeting with all the relevant documents and submit the same to the officials. Steps should be taken by the locals to cooperate with the authorities and constitute Parki Lake Conservation Committee to protect the water body from encroachment, he said.
The HYDRAA Commissioner asked the locals to constitute a separate committee to protect the endowment lands in their vicinity. He also suggested the locals include him in the WhatsApp groups of these two committees and share the information.
Locals expressed their confidence that the HYDRAA would support them in prevention of endowment lands from encroachers. Officials from HYDRAA, Revenue, Irrigation and Endowments departments accompanied Ranganath during his visit.
