Telangana HC refuses stay on GO 27 notifying Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy
The Bench, however, issued notices to various officials in the Central and State governments seeking their response
By - Newsmeter Network
Telangana High Court (File Photo)
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court declined to pass a stay order on GO 27, through which the State notified the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy, 2025 (HILTP), permitting conversion and alienation of 9,292.53 acres of public industrial land.
The Bench, however, issued notices to various officials in the Central and State governments seeking their response.
‘Biggest scam in India’s history’
Arguing in person via video conference, Dr KA Paul, President of Praja Shanthi Party, alleged that the GO, issued on November 22, enabling conversion of industrial land, amounts to the ‘biggest scam in India’s history worth Rs 6 lakh crore.’
He warned the court that if a stay is not granted, the government would alienate the land within 45 days, stressing the need for immediate status quo.
In a connected PIL, Senior Counsel Vivek Reddy, appearing for retired professor K Purushotham Reddy, argued that GO 27 permits conversion of industrial land to multi-use zones, including residential, educational and healthcare facilities, contrary to the HMDA Act, which requires prior modification of the Master Plan.
He added that the GO violates a 2013 Government Order, which prohibits repurposing industrial lands until existing units are shifted to the city outskirts.
Both petitioners pressed for an interim stay, citing urgency and the State’s ongoing process of inviting applications from prospective beneficiaries.
Telangana govt defends policy
Advocate General A Sudershan Reddy countered the allegations, asserting that GO 27 was introduced to relocate polluting industries from congested urban pockets such as Balanagar, Kattedan and Kukatpally to the outskirts, thereby reducing pollution levels.
He assured the Bench that the government would not permit any change in land use until all polluting units are fully relocated, and that the 2013 policy framework would not be diluted. The AG also stated that public objections would be invited before any Master Plan amendments are finalised.
“We are not setting up new industrial zones; we are removing and shifting existing ones to reduce pollution,” the AG clarified, attributing the petitioners’ concerns to a misunderstanding of government intentions.
The Bench was hearing two PILs, one filed by Dr KA Paul and the other by Prof. Purushotham Reddy, both seeking suspension of GO 27 and halting the implementation of HILTP.
After hearing submissions from all sides, the Division Bench directed the Telangana and Union Governments to file their counter-affidavits. The notices were sent to Special Chief Secretary (Industries & Commerce), MD of TSIIC, the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Union Government), and the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.
The matter has been adjourned to December 29 for the filing of counters.
