Telangana HC notice to govt on land ceiling misuse; PIL alleges firms bypassing law, impacting farmers & food production
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, which converted into a PIL a letter written by Kanchari Brahmam, president of Singur Jalasadhana Committee in Alladurg, Medak, gave authorities four weeks to file their counters.
The petitioner in his letter contended that the Act was meant to prevent concentration of agricultural land in the hands of a few and ensure that it was used for its rightful purpose, which was food production. But defeating the very purpose of the Act to impose a ceiling, several individuals were floating companies to buy and keep huge land banks as the Act provides certain exemptions to companies. This was resulting in huge tracts of land lying idle and not being available for food production, he said
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The petitioner pointed out that a lot of corporate entities have acquired agricultural land, leading to monopolisation of ownership where a select few control vast tracts.
Such concentration may also contribute to an artificial increase in land prices which will lead to a stage where farmers will not be able to buy them for agriculture, turning them into labourers in the same land, he said.
"This is a huge disadvantage for farmers which would eventually threaten food security for all," Brahmam said in his letter.
Unauthorised holding of land by a few would lead to misuse of natural resources and underutilisation of land, he said.
"This adversely affects the livelihoods of farmers and derails the growth of agricultural sector. lt is imperative that strict action be taken to reclaim such land and redistribute them as per the provisions of the law, ensuring justice for farmers and the agricultural sector," he said.
He urged the court to take legal action against those found guilty of violating the provisions of the Act as well as necessary corrective measures to restore the land for agricultural purposes.
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