New Delhi/Hyderabad, 26 May (H.S.)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWBy Indrani Sarkar | Hindusthan Samachar

In an exclusive interaction with Hindusthan Samachar, Telangana Revenue and Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy spoke on implementation of election commitments, Bhubharathi reforms, revenue digitisation, protection of Enemy Properties, Indiramma Housing, investment, employment, Hyderabad expansion, airport development, farmer welfare and Telangana’s political outlook.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bhubharathi Act emerging as a guiding model for the country

• Robust protection measures initiated for Enemy Properties worth ₹10,000 crore in Telangana

• Construction of houses under Indiramma Housing gaining momentum

• Telangana focused on investment, infrastructure and employment expansion

• “The BRS chapter in the state has come to a close”

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DELIVERING ON ELECTION COMMITMENTS

Question: To what extent have you implemented your election promises during your two-and-a-half years of governance in Telangana?

Answer: We have implemented approximately 80 percent of the promises made on behalf of the Congress party during the election period. We have also introduced several schemes that were not explicitly announced at the time. The promises declared during the Padayatras (foot marches) conducted back then—by our current Chief Minister Revanth Reddy (who was the PCC President at the time) and Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka—were put into practice immediately upon assuming office. Foremost among these initiatives was the abolition of the 'Dharani' portal—a system designed by the previous government that caused immense hardship to lakhs of farmers and citizens—and the subsequent introduction of the 'Bhubharathi Act,' formulated after incorporating the feedback and opinions of all sections of society. This Act is now emerging as a guiding light for all other states across the country.

BHUBHARATHI AND REVENUE DIGITISATION

Question: Could you please elaborate on the Bhubharathi portal and the specific services integrated with it?

Answer: We have developed the integrated 'Bhubharathi' portal by bringing the Land, Survey, and Registration departments under a single umbrella to provide transparent and streamlined services to farmers. We have designed this portal to enable farmers to access land-related services directly from their homes, eliminating the need—as was the case in the past—to visit 'MeeSeva' centers for such services. In accordance with the provisions of the Bhubharathi Act, we are implementing a regulation that mandates the attachment of a survey map during the registration process for agricultural lands, thereby ensuring a hassle-free experience for both buyers and sellers. We are assigning a unique number to every survey map (LPM) and allocating a 'Bhudhaar' number to every survey number—much like the Aadhaar number—to serve as a unique identifier. We intend to implement this same system across the entire state in a phased manner. We have already commenced a pilot implementation of this initiative in five mandals within the state.

PROTECTING PUBLIC ASSETS: FOCUS ON ENEMY PROPERTIES

Question: Enemy Properties and disputed government lands are increasingly becoming a governance issue. What steps is the government taking?

Answer: Protection of Enemy Properties located across Telangana and prevention of their illegal encroachment have been prioritised by the Revenue Department. There are Enemy Properties worth nearly ₹10,000 crore located across different parts of the state.

Directions have been issued to officials to undertake comprehensive ground surveys of these assets and systematically digitise all associated records.The state revenue machinery has also accelerated the process of identification and protection of these properties in close coordination with officials of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI), functioning under the Central Government.

These measures are intended to strengthen land administration, improve transparency and ensure effective protection of public assets.

WELFARE DELIVERY AND OPPOSITION CRITICISM

Question: What is your response to the opposition’s allegations that many of your electoral promises have not been fulfilled?

Answer: The previous BRS government handed over a Telangana—which originally possessed surplus funds—to us burdened with a debt exceeding ₹8 lakh crore. Consequently, we are currently paying approximately ₹6,500 crore per month solely towards interest payments. Nevertheless, while strictly adhering to fiscal discipline, we are delivering welfare schemes and development programs to the people. In the entire country, following the Karnataka government, the Telangana government stands as the second Congress administration to introduce a free bus travel scheme for women, complete with various accompanying amenities. Following our lead—and subsequently Andhra Pradesh—governments in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and several other states are now implementing this free bus scheme.

INDIRAMMA HOUSING: BUILDING HOMES AND CONFIDENCE

Question: Among the flagship schemes you frequently highlight, which one has garnered the greatest public popularity?

Answer: Various government departments across the state are currently implementing nearly 100 distinct new schemes. Among these, the 'Indiramma Housing Scheme' has emerged as a model for the entire nation. Our government identifies the destitute members of society who lack even basic shelter; for those who already possess a plot of land, we provide financial assistance of ₹5 lakhs, thereby empowering them to construct sturdy, permanent homes with their own hands. No other state in the country currently offers a scheme of this nature. Even without financial support from the Central Government, we are independently providing the necessary funds. In the very first year alone, we sanctioned 3.60 lakh houses and released the corresponding funds. As the Minister in charge of this department, it fills me with immense pride to note that within a single year, destitute families have already performed their housewarming ceremonies in 2 lakh of these homes. We intend to sanction additional houses in three subsequent phases. We will continue this scheme as an ongoing process. The Honorable Chief Minister is set to launch the second phase of the Indiramma Housing Scheme in Asifabad district on June 2nd.

HUMAN STORIES BEHIND INDIRAMMA HOUSING

Question: What was the most emotionally moving incident you experienced during implementation of the Indiramma Housing Scheme?

Answer: There were many such instances. The joy visible in the eyes of poor women—who had lived in rented homes for years—when they declared, This is our very own home, served as a tremendous source of inspiration for us. I still vividly recall an elderly woman remarking, I never imagined that, before I passed away, I would actually own a house in my own name. The scenes of numerous beneficiaries performing their housewarming ceremonies while holding photographs of our Chief Minister, Mr. Revanth Reddy, remain unforgettable and cherished memories. Furthermore, it gave us great pleasure to see our Congress National President, Mr. Kharge, take a special interest in learning about this scheme.

Recently, when we organized a 'Praja Darbar' (Public Grievance Meeting) in my Palair constituency to receive applications, a staggering 52 percent of the applications submitted were specifically regarding Indiramma houses. This clearly demonstrates just how beneficial and relevant this scheme is to the people. The immense demand for Indiramma houses stems from the fact that the previous BRS government, during its ten-year tenure, failed to address the housing needs of the poor; consequently, people now place their faith in this 'people's government' to fulfill their dream of owning a home.

TELANGANA RISING: INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC EXPANSION

Question: Did you observe any tangible benefits resulting from the Telangana Rising event, which was organized to attract attention from both within the country and abroad?

Answer: With the objective of developing Telangana into a future economic powerhouse within the country, we successfully organized the 'Telangana Rising Global Summit - 2025' on December 8th and 9th at Bharat Future City in Hyderabad. This summit served as a pivotal platform for attracting world-class investments across key sectors. During the summit, we signed over 100 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Through these agreements, investors expressed their interest in investing approximately ₹5.75 lakh crore. Consequently, this is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities within the private sector.

EMPLOYMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM

Question: How are the initiatives regarding employment for unemployed youth and revenue reforms progressing?

Answer: Since the establishment of the people-centric government in Telangana, we have initiated a recruitment drive—a process that had remained dormant for the past ten years. To date, we have provided employment to nearly 70,000 individuals. Furthermore, we have fulfilled our election promise to extend revenue services down to the village level. We have categorized the state's 10,954 revenue villages into clusters and appointed Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) to oversee them. Similarly, 5,520 licensed surveyors are currently rendering their services.

HYDERABAD, FUTURE CITY AND AIRPORT EXPANSION

Question: What are your plans for the development of Hyderabad, a city recognized as one of the country’s premier metropolitan centers?

Answer: Plans have been formulated to develop Hyderabad city to international standards. We have initiated the expansion of the Metro Rail network. We have fulfilled the long-cherished desire of the people to merge the Cantonment area into the GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation). The government has decided to construct an entirely new city, christened Future City, spanning an area of 30,000 acres. As part of our development strategy, we have categorized the state into three distinct zones: the area within the Outer Ring Road has been designated as Core Urban Telangana; the region situated between the Outer Ring Road and the proposed Regional Ring Road as Urban Telangana; and the territory lying beyond the Regional Ring Road as Rural Telangana. New airports are set to be established in various regions across the state, including Warangal (Mamnoor), Adilabad, Peddapalli (Basanthnagar)/Ramagundam, Kothagudem, and others.

AGRICULTURE AND FARMER WELFARE

Question: What are the farmer incentive schemes currently being implemented in Telangana? How much has been spent over the last two and a half years?

Answer: Under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, we are providing eligible farmers with cultivation investment assistance of ₹12,000 per acre per year (₹6,000 for the Kharif/monsoon season crop and ₹6,000 for the Rabi/winter season crop). To rescue farmers from the quagmire of debt, we have initiated a process to provide a one-time waiver for short-term crop loans of up to ₹2 lakhs, availed between December 12, 2018, and December 9, 2023. In addition to the Minimum Support Price (MSP), we are providing a bonus (incentive) of ₹500 per quintal for the fine varieties of paddy cultivated by farmers.

To ensure that a farmer's family is not left destitute in the event of the farmer's death for any reason, the government continues to provide a free insurance cover of ₹5 lakhs. The government bears the entire cost of this insurance premium.

Rythu Bharosa (Input Subsidy): Under this scheme, funds amounting to over ₹18,000 crores have been deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts to date. For the current financial year, the government has allocated and is releasing approximately ₹9,000 crores in phased payments for the benefit of 70 lakh farmers. Under the crop loan waiver scheme—specifically for loans up to ₹2 lakhs—the government has disbursed funds ranging from approximately ₹18,000 crores to ₹20,000 crores to banks across three installments, thereby providing relief to lakhs of farmers. Within just two years of assuming office, this people-centric government has expended over ₹1 lakh crore on various agricultural welfare schemes. To bring about revolutionary changes in the agricultural sector and to position Telangana at the forefront of grain production, we are allocating over ₹24,000 crores annually to the Department of Agriculture in the budget. Furthermore, under the Rythu Bima (Farmers' Insurance) scheme, we are extending insurance coverage to over 42 lakh farmers during the 2025-26 fiscal year.

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE

Question: You participated in the Assembly election campaigns held in Bihar, Kerala and other regions. What was your experience?

Answer: I participated in the election campaigns in those respective states in accordance with the directives of the Congress High Command. In Bihar, I served as an observer for three constituencies, offering advice and suggestions. We secured a victory in one of the three constituencies assigned to me in Bihar. In Kerala, several ministers—including our Chief Minister, Mr. Revanth Reddy—went to campaign. It gives me great joy to note that we won in ten of the constituencies where I campaigned alongside our party leader, Mr. Rahul Gandhi. We had anticipated the Congress victory in Kerala well in advance. The influence of our top leader, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, was clearly evident there. In the past, having won from Wayanad, he had successfully taken the Congress party even closer to the people of Kerala.

TELANGANA’S POLITICAL OUTLOOK FOR 2029

Question: How do you foresee the Congress party’s prospects for victory in Telangana in the 2029 elections?

Answer: Out of the 119 Assembly constituencies in the state, we expect to win more than 100 this time around. The people are firmly on our side. We are proceeding with public welfare as our sole objective, ensuring there is absolutely no corruption or malpractice. That very commitment is our greatest safeguard.

Question: What are the reasons behind your confidence that you will return to power?

Answer: It is the development initiatives and welfare schemes implemented by our government, under the leadership of Honorable Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, that will ensure our victory. Since assuming office, the people of Telangana have delivered resounding victories for us—whether in the subsequent Parliamentary elections, the two Assembly by-elections held thereafter, or the Panchayat and Municipal polls. The Congress party achieved grand victories in the Cantonment and Jubilee Hills by-elections—seats previously represented by the BRS. These very results will be replicated in the future as well. The BRS is merely daydreaming if it imagines it will return to power after two and a half years; in this state, that party has become a closed chapter.

Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar