Joint survey to resolve Revenue-Forest land disputes: Ponguleti

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy at a review meeting with Revenue, Forest and Survey and Settlement officials at the Secretariat on Monday.

The Telangana government has decided to undertake joint surveys by the Revenue and Forest departments to find a permanent solution to long-pending disputes over land boundaries, particularly those involving forest, revenue and patta lands.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy directed officials of both departments to work in close coordination and ensure that ordinary people and farmers do not suffer because of inter-departmental boundary disputes.

At a review meeting with Revenue, Forest and Survey and Settlement officials at the Secretariat, the Minister said the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, was committed to resolving land-related issues that had remained unsettled for decades.

Pointing out that the erstwhile Khammam, Warangal and Adilabad districts had substantial forest areas, Mr. Ponguleti said boundary disputes between the Revenue and Forest departments had persisted for several decades.

He called for scientific and technology-based joint surveys to establish clear boundaries and prevent such disputes from recurring. Officials should examine the actual ground position and comprehensively reconcile land records, maps and survey details before arriving at conclusions.

Issues that could be settled at the field level should be resolved locally, while matters requiring higher-level intervention should be referred to the State government without delay, he said.

Observing that prolonged disputes had caused considerable hardship to farmers and landowners, he said he would personally monitor the joint survey exercise and periodically review its progress.

Revenue Secretary Lokesh Kumar, Survey and Settlement Commissioner Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vinay Kumar and other senior officials attended the meeting.