Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120553140300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Regularisation of 30,000 houses in coal belt

Special Correspondent

Relief to residents of unauthorised buildings falling under jurisdiction of Singareni Collieries

Constructions in 500 sq.yds to be regularised free
Nominal rate fixed for those above 500 sq.yds

HYDERABAD: In a major relief to residents of four districts in the coal belt of Telangana, the government has agreed to regularise more than 30,000 unauthorised constructions falling under the jurisdiction of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

A decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday. Briefing reporters about the development, Minister for AP Vaidya Vidhan Parishad Vanama Venkateswara Rao said that these 30,000 constructions are situated in Yellandu in Khammam district and Godavarikhani in Karimnagar district.

All constructions measuring 500 square yards would be regularised free of cost while for those above 500 square yards, nominal rate would be fixed.

In fact, the government had identified 66,000 constructions which were declared unauthorised by the authorities. The remaining 36,000 constructions are in Bellampally and Mandamarri in Adilabad district.

Mr. Venkateswara Rao said that the government would also regularise the remaining 36,000 constructions in the near future. He said as there were abundant coal reserves under these houses in Bellampally and Mandamarri, the residents would be shifted to new locations in future.

Fears allayed

He allayed the fears of these residents about forcible eviction. The Minister also pointed out that all these constructions would be brought under the jurisdiction of the Revenue Department for regularisation and the Collectors of Adilabad, Khammam, Karimnagar and Warangal districts instructed accordingly.