Telangana Chief Minister KCR has announced a new revenue bill to replace the old one in the state. The new bill, expected to be tabled in the next assembly session, will help in eliminating corruption and in providing hassle-free service to farmers and the people, said the Chief Minister in his Independence Day address at Golconda Fort on Thursday.
The Revenue Department in the state is perceived as one of the most corrupt in the state, with several cases of corruption against revenue officials. Earlier in March, reports about corruption reached the CMO when Kondapalli Sharath, a farmer in a video that went viral on social media, narrated the ordeal he faced when his family land was transferred to a relative of a revenue official in Macherial district. Swift action was taken and the farmer’s land was restored after the CM watched the video.
In July this year, the Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) of Telangana seized Rs 93.5 lakh in cash and 420 grams of gold from the residence of a village revenue official. The revenue officials involved in this case too transferred land belonging to the farmers and demanded a bribe for it to be restored.
"We have to undo these damages. Hence the government is engrossed in preparing a new Revenue Act. Let me share the good news with you that in the coming budget session the new Revenue Act will be introduced. The proposed Act will leave no room for corruption or laxity,” said KCR in his address.
KCR also announced a 60-day special action plan to transform villages and towns with special emphasis on cleanliness and greenery.
The action plan is aimed at introducing a new approach and at implementation of the new Panchayat Raj Act and Municipality Act.
He said the government would release funds from the Finance Commission grants to the local bodies before commencement of the programme.
Under the first phase of the programme, sanitation in the villages and towns will be improved with the participation of the people. Stating that unhygienic conditions are the root cause for ill-health, he said in this 60-day programme, officials and public representatives with the participation of the public should change the topography of villages and towns.
The Chief Minister said that civil society organisations should work with the people in totally clearing the garbage.
(IANS inputs)