Latest news with #Bhoodan
New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana HC pulls up Bhoodan board for failing to furnish land details
HYDERABAD: Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Bhoodan Yagna Board for its failure to provide vital information on Bhoodan lands in the state. Expressing serious concern over the board's 'callous and casual attitude,' the judge noted that despite an order having been passed two days earlier, it had not submitted any data. While hearing multiple writ petitions pertaining to alleged irregularities in the sale and mutation of Bhoodan lands, the judge directly addressed Kiran Kumar Gattu, standing counsel for the Bhoodan Yagna Board, and questioned the board's commitment to its statutory responsibilities. 'Is it not your duty to protect the Bhoodan lands, not only at Nagaram village, Maheshwaram mandal, RR district, but also in the entire state of Telangana? You have not even furnished one square foot of information pertaining to the Bhoodan lands,' Justice Lakshman observed. In response, standing counsel submitted that the relevant information was available with the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA). The judge then directed him to obtain the required data from the CCLA and submit a comprehensive report to the court. The court specifically sought details under three key heads: Lands received by the Bhoodan Yagna Board from donors; extent of Bhoodan lands distributed to needy peasants and farmers and the remaining lands still with the Bhoodan Yagna Board across Telangana. Meanwhile, senior advocate P Sriraghu Ram, appearing on behalf of a land purchaser, opposed the plea filed by petitioner Vadthya Ramulu, who sought the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry by the state government. He argued that a private individual could not seek a judicial direction for such an appointment. However, T Rajnikanth Reddy, additional advocate general of Telangana, informed the court that the state government is willing to constitute an inquiry commission to investigate allegations of illegal mutation and alienation of Bhoodan lands, particularly in survey No: 194 and 195 of Nagaram village, provided the court issues the necessary directions. The matter pertains to a writ petition filed by Vadthya Ramulu, a resident of Padmavati Colony, RR district, and two similar petitions filed by Birla Mallesh, alleging that Bhoodan lands were sold illegally to private parties in collusion with revenue officials, and even mutated in the names of senior IAS and IPS officers. After hearing arguments from all sides, Justice Lakshman adjourned the matter to Thursday for further hearing.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Chess has always been in Divya Deshmukh's genes; great-grandfather used to play with Vinoba Bhave
Divya Deshmukh becomes India's first Women's Chess World Cup winner (FIDE Photo/TOI Special Arrangements) NAGPUR: Only a few know that Divya Deshmukh carries in her veins a quiet legacy. The youngest and only Indian woman to win the women's chess World Cup , Divya 'inherited' her love for the 64-square battlefield partly from her maternal great-grandfather, Dr Durgaprasad Sharma. Sharma, a chess aficionado, used to play with Vinoba Bhave, advocate of nonviolence, social reformer, Gandhi's spiritual successor, and freedom fighter. Although Bhave's penchant for playing chess is not so well documented in the public domain, the Deshmukh family has a photograph of Sharma and the Bhoodan movement spearhead engrossed in a game of chess in the 1970s. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Divya's mother Dr Namrata Deshmukh said her 19-year-old poster girl of chess was destined to play the game. 'It's in her genes,' a beaming Dr Namrata said, referring to her grandfather himself being a chess aficionado. In a chat with TOI, Dr Namrata said, 'My grandfather, my mother's father, Dr Durgaprasad Sharma, was close to Acharya Vinoba Bhave. They used to play chess every Saturday at the Pavnar Ashram.' For her mother, chess wasn't something Divya just dived into. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo It was like a cherished desire of the doctor couple, Jitendra and Namrata. Divya's chess journey began in 2010 when she was just five years old. When Namrata found a nearby chess academy in their residential colony at Shankar Nagar in Nagpur, she enrolled Divya. Dr Namrata added, 'As I grew up watching my grandfather and Acharya Bhave play chess games every Saturday, I was fascinated with it. ' Durgaprasad Sharma and Vinoba Bhave playing chess (TOI Special Arrangements) While Divya's elder sister Aarya started playing basketball and badminton in their colony, Dr Namrata wanted her younger daughter to play chess. She said, 'When I found Rahul Joshi sir's chess academy near our Shankar Nagar residence, I enrolled Divya. Luckily, she developed an interest in the sport and started making steady progress.' In 2012, Divya won her first national gold medal and never looked back. Divya made her first international mark by becoming the U-8 Asian champion and qualified to represent India in the World Youth Championship. In 2014, the eight-year-old Divya became the youngest U-10 world champion in Durban, South Africa. Poll Should more support be given to young female athletes in India? Yes, they need more encouragement No, support is equal for all Only if they show potential Not sure To focus on Divya's dreams on the chequered boxes, Dr Namrata gave up her medical practice. She said, 'As doctor parents, it was unimaginable that Divya was missing school, not studying just to focus on playing chess. Though she was focused, it was a risk, but we went with the flow. Divya was happy and interested in chess, so we had to support it. And it became our duty.' With Divya winning medals in every age category and unable to attend academic classes regularly, her parents enrolled her in open schooling, where she completed her Class 12. Divya has started her graduation too from open schooling. Every time Divya wins an international medal, the discussions in the Deshmukh family revolve around destiny. 'Looking at her progress, many times I feel it's my grandfather's blessings,' said Dr Namrata. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hans India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
If HC directs, govt will appoint panel to probe ‘illegal' sale of Bhoodan lands: Addl A-G
Hyderabad: The Telangana HC single bench of Justice Kunuru Lakshman on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the callous and casual attitude of the Bhoodan Yagna Board as it could not furnish information pertaining to its lands to court, despite passing a tacit order two days ago. The judge queried Kiran Kumar Gattu, standing counsel for the board, is it not your duty to protect the Bhoodan Lands… not only at Nagaram village, Maheshwaram mandal, RR district, but also in the entire State; for this you have to furnish information sought by the court… you have not even furnished one square ft land information. The counsel said the information is with the CCLA. The judge directed him to get the information from CCLA. The bench directed Gattu to furnish information on Bhoodan lands received from donors, that distributed to needy peasants and farmers and what is the left with the board in Telangana. Raghu Ram, senior counsel appearing for one purchaser of lands in different survey numbers, vehemently opposed the petitioner VadthyaRamulu's contention seeking a direction to the government to appoint an inquiry commission contending that a private person cannot seek court order to the government. T Rajnikanth Reddy, Additional Advocate-General, informed Justice Lakshman that the government will constitute a commission to probe alleged illegal mutation/alienation of the Bhoodan lands in survey numbers 194, 195 of Nagaram if the court directs. The judge adjudicated the writ filed by Vadthya Ramulu of Padmathi Colony, RR district, seeking a direction to the government to appoint an inquiry commission to look probe 'illegal' sale of Bhoodan lands to private persons in violation of rules and petitions 16577 and 12637 of 2025 filed by Birla Mallesh, whose plea is similar, that the Revenue officials in collusion with private parties illegally sold and mutated the lands on to some senior IAS and IPS officers.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Place details of Bhoodan lands before court: HC
The Telangana High Court on Wednesday instructed the Bhoodan Board and the State government to place before it the details of lands donated by different persons during Bhoodan movement. Hearing two separate pleas seeking an inquiry into status of Bhoodan lands in Nagaram village of Maheshwaram mandal in Ranga Reddy, Justice K. Lakshman passed the interim direction. He also wanted the Bhoodan Board and the government to furnish details of the lands redistributed to the landless and the current status of all land parcels held by the Board. Additional Advocate General T. Rajanikanth Reddy said the government was ready to constitute a commission of inquiry if the court ordered for probe into all the lands belonging to Bhoodan Board and issues related to it. However, the government was opposing setting up such an inquiry commission in the present case as the petitioners were espousing a private cause, he said. The petitioners contended that some persons got ownership of the lands held by Bhoodan Board transferred in conspiracy with the Revenue and other department officials. According to them, parts of these lands under specific survey numbers were sold off by middlemen to scores of IAS and IPS officers. Some of them are retired now. Earlier, a single judge of the HC directed the government to keep certain lands specified by one of the petitioners under prohibited list till adjudication of the plea. The serving and retired officials, who were made respondents in this writ petition, moved the division bench headed by the then Acting Chief Justice for vacation of the restraint order. The bench, however, directed them to approach the single judge bench for modification of the order that was passed. The officers contended that the issues raised over transfer of Bhoodan lands belonged to four different survey numbers. They maintained that the lands they had purchased were not at all connected to Bhoodan Board. The counsel for the petitioner who sought constitution of the enquiry commission did not turn up for the hearing on Wednesday and sought time for presentation of arguments. The counsel for the senior officials argued that the petitioners moved the HC without any locus standi. The courts cannot pass orders to put the lands in prohibited list without the petitioners presenting proof of ownership of the land under dispute, he said. The pleas would be heard again on Thursday.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana high court wants info on Bhoodan land donated so far and its current status
Hyderabad: Justice K Lakshman of Telangana high court on Wednesday directed the Bhoodan Board and the state govt to furnish to the court details of land donated by various donors under the Bhoodan Movement in the last 75 years and its current status along with particulars of the redistribution of the land by the state to the landless. The judge was wondering whether the Bhoodan Board will be able to display any willpower to protect even a square yard of Bhoodan land in the state. While one petitioner in this case is seeking a CBI probe, the other was seeking a probe under the Commissions of Inquiry (COI) Act. The Bhoodan Movement, a voluntary land reform movement, was initiated by Acharya Vinobha Bhave from Pochampallay village (now in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district) in 1951. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Conveying the stand of the state, additional advocate general T Rajanikanth Reddy informed the court that they were ready to appoint a COI probe if the court orders a statewide probe on all the Bhoodan land issues. However, he clarified, "we are opposing any such probe in the current case, because the petitioners are espousing a private cause". The judge was hearing pleas by two petitioners who sought a probe into the way Bhoodan land in Nagaram village in Rangareddy district was sold to scores of IAS and IPS officers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Earlier, the high court had directed the state to keep the subject land in the prohibited list till further orders. The bureaucrats, who purchased the land, approached the court urging it to vacate the restraint order. They said that the petitioners were seeking irrelevant reliefs with unconnected facts. There are four survey numbers in the village and the land they purchased has nothing to do with Bhoodan land. They also contended that the petitioners later started raising new contention that the land was not Bhoodan land but govt land. The counsel for one of the petitioners, who was seeking a probe under the CoI Act, did not turn up for Wednesday's hearing and a proxy counsel sought time to present their case. Senior counsel P Sri Raghu Ram appeared for the bureaucrats and said that the petitioners have no locus standi to raise the issues. They came to court without any material to make out a case, he said. Urging the court to vacate the restraint order, he said that courts could grant prohibitory orders only when the petitioners have any legal right over the land. "Courts can give such orders only when there are any legally enforceable rights under Article 226 of the Constitution," Sri Raghu Ram said. The judge posted the case to Thursday for further hearing.
