Hyderabad

Ministerfor IT and Industries D. Sridhar Babu on Wednesday alleged that leaders of the BRS were attempting to politicise farmer protests in Vikarabad district and mislead people on land acquisition.

In a statement, he alleged that the ‘political yatras’ undertaken by BRS leaders were aimed at creating confusion among farmers, casting aspersions on the government, and hindering industrial development and investments in the State.

Sridhar Babu said Vikarabad, which he described as neglected during the previous regime, was now being brought into the development mainstream through planned industrial and infrastructure initiatives, and termed the criticism by opposition leaders as “crocodile tears”.

Highlighting the need for land for industrial growth, he noted that existing industrial parks such as Chandanvelly and Sitarampur had limited land available for new units, while some parcels were affected by legal disputes and lack of access infrastructure. In this context, the government had decided to create a land bank for future industrial requirements.

He added that areas including Kodangal, Pargi had been identified for industrial expansion, with proposals to improve connectivity through radial roads and the Regional Ring Road (RRR).

The Minister said land acquisition would be undertaken strictly in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, following due process, including preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and necessary approvals.

Dismissing allegations on compensation as “baseless”, Sridhar Babu said affected landowners would be provided compensation and rehabilitation benefits, including house sites, in accordance with the law.

Appealing to the public, Sridhar Babu said industrial development would generate employment, reduce migration, and improve infrastructure in the region. He urged farmers not to be misled by what he described as politically motivated campaigns, and assured that the government would ensure justice and support to all affected families.