Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed officials to begin work on a framework for providing full ownership rights to beneficiaries of assigned lands. The issue was discussed during a state-level meeting on the implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, according to a September 23 report by V6 Velugu.
The Chief Minister reportedly asked officials to examine procedures followed by other states before finalising the framework. The government is also considering whether a high-level committee should be constituted to study different models and suggest an approach suitable for Telangana.
Another issue under discussion is identifying who is currently in possession of assigned lands. The report said the government is considering an enjoyment survey across the state to establish the present status of these lands.
The government is also examining cases where assigned lands may have changed hands. Assigned lands are subject to specific restrictions, and the administration has previously discussed measures concerning unauthorised transfers and protection of the land allotted to eligible beneficiaries.
The issue of ownership rights is not entirely new. During the 2023 election campaign, Revanth Reddy had spoken about providing ownership rights over assigned and forest lands as part of Congress’s policy commitments.
The latest exercise, however, involves developing procedures and examining the existing status of assigned lands. Any final decision would depend on the government’s proposed guidelines and applicable legal provisions.
The assigned-land discussion comes amid a broader push by the Telangana government to address land-record and registration problems. The government has also announced measures involving layouts, Urban Land Ceiling properties, GO 59 applications and other categories of disputed or restricted properties.
Revanth Reddy has also spoken in the Assembly about historical problems with land records and the difficulties faced by farmers and landholders because of gaps or inconsistencies in records. His government has linked these issues to the need for improved land administration and clearer ownership records.
The immediate focus is expected to remain on legal examination, land-record verification and identification of beneficiaries or current occupants. Any changes to ownership rights or transfer rules would require the government to frame appropriate guidelines while taking existing legislation into account.
For beneficiaries of assigned lands, the proposed exercise could become significant because clearer records and a defined policy could help resolve some long-standing uncertainties surrounding possession, registration and ownership. However, the final benefits and procedures will depend on the decisions and guidelines issued by the Telangana government.