Uttam Kumar Reddy Orders Speedy Disbursal of ₹813 Crore Land Compensation

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed district authorities to disburse ₹813 crore in pending land acquisition compensation without further delay, saying the money must reach farmers who have parted with their land.

Chairing a videoconference from Hyderabad on Monday, the Minister reviewed the progress of land acquisition and compensation payments with District Collectors and irrigation officials. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Secretary to the Chief Minister K. Manicka Raj and Finance Secretary S.K. Sultania attended the meeting, along with Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Commissioner for Land Acquisition Siva Kumar Naidu.

The Minister expressed concern that a substantial sum was sitting in the administrative accounts of District Collectors, Revenue Divisional Officers and Special Deputy Collectors. Officials told the meeting that of the amount pending at the district level, about ₹502 crore was held by Land Acquisition Officers and another ₹311 crore by Collectors.

Mr. Reddy cautioned against letting the money remain parked in government accounts for long, noting that this would defeat the purpose for which it was released and further slow down pending work on ongoing projects. He asked the Collectors to intervene personally and accelerate negotiations so that awards could be finalised and payments made.

"If the money has been released, it must reach the land-losing farmers. In case it is not disbursed for any genuine reason, it must be explained to higher authorities," he said.

According to the meeting, fund release tokens worth ₹3,101 crore have been issued since April 1, of which about ₹2,504 crore has been disbursed towards land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement.

The Minister said funds for land acquisition were being arranged outside the regular irrigation budget so that a shortage of money would not hold up priority projects. He urged district officers to adopt a humane approach towards farmers giving up their land and to settle compensation amicably.

Where compensation remains unpaid after an award, officials were told to pay the statutory interest wherever applicable. In cases tied up in court or title disputes, they were asked to compile all pending matters so these could be taken up with the Advocate General for focused legal action.