India
Telangana Assembly Resumes Session, Discusses Land Issues, Oil Palm Cultivation
The monsoon session of the Telangana Assembly resumed on Wednesday, September 16, 2016, following a three-day adjournment. The House continued its short discussion on matters related to Section 22A of the Registrations Act. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy previously addressed properties under Section 22A on Saturday, September 12, 2016.
Additional discussions scheduled for the day included the effects of El Niño and potential remedial measures. Questions were also anticipated regarding career guidance cells for minority students, improvements to public transport in the CURE region, and the expansion of horticulture crops within the State.
On September 16, 2026, CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao stated that Telangana encompasses 2,49,76,000 acres of land. He clarified that while a narrative suggests one crore acres are on the prohibited properties list, the actual issue concerns 3,73,930 acres of private land within this list. Mr. Rao noted that forest lands (42,61,532 acres), assigned lands, government lands (including schools and roads), Part-B, and private lands collectively account for approximately 90,000 acres. He emphasized that changes in the extent of forest or assigned land are not possible, with only private land extents subject to alteration. Mr. Rao clarified his statement was to prevent public misconceptions, not to support the government.
BJP Legislature Party leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy, on September 16, 2026, referenced forensic audit findings mentioned in the House. He questioned the identity of those to whom 23 lakh acres were transferred through 13,000 transactions and inquired about the actions to be taken. He also asked when the government would assume control of these lands.
Regarding oil palm cultivation, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao stated on September 16, 2026, that a factory could be established if oil palm is harvested over 10,000 acres. He noted that some MLAs have also engaged in this cultivation and reiterated that factories would be built if the crop covers 10,000 acres. The Minister assured that farmers would not face issues with monkeys, marketing, or export. Currently, six factories are operational, with 14 more under construction, each capable of being set up within six months. Responding to a request for Minimum Support Price (MSP), he indicated that the State had requested the Centre to announce it.
Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari urged for a palm oil refinery in the erstwhile Warangal district on September 16, 2026. MLAs also raised concerns about issues in oil palm cultivation and harvest processing in various districts, including trees touching overhead high-tension electric wires and the lack of refineries in certain areas.