Etala Rajender Demands Cancellation Of September 2 Kukatpally Land Auction

Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajender has demanded the cancellation of the proposed auction of open plots at the Kukatpally Housing Board, alleging that land meant to serve the housing needs of the poor was being treated as a source of government revenue.

Rajender inspected the auction plots along with local leaders and later criticised the state government at a media conference. He said the Housing Board was originally created to provide affordable housing and should not be converted into a real estate business.

Tracing its history, Rajender said the City Improvement Board was established in 1911, following the 1908 floods, while the Secunderabad Improvement Board was formed in 1931 and became the Housing Board in 1960. Around 1,400 acres were acquired in Kukatpally, Kaithalapur and Hydernagar to develop plots for poor families and employees. He said 100 acres were also leased to JNTU.

Rajender alleged that land sales began in 2005-06 during the tenure of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, citing transactions involving Malaysia Township, Hindu Projects, Lodha and Indis One City. He claimed that about ₹1,200 crore generated from such sales was lying with the Housing Board before being taken by the present government. He also referred to the recent sale of eight acres to Godrej.

The MP warned that selling open spaces in densely populated Kukatpally could create problems during emergencies, including restricting fire-engine access. He said he had urged Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy to reserve vacant land for schools, parks, community halls, temples and hospitals.

Rajender also raised the Ellammabanda-Shamshiguda Survey No. 57 land issue, questioning the allocation of around 170 acres from a 300-acre parcel to poor people and journalists and demanding an inquiry into the remaining land. He sought a probe into the ‘Honor Homes’ project at IDL and urged the government to reclaim allegedly encroached land.

He further opposed attempts to transfer urban ceiling lands to private parties and made serious allegations over the proposed use of Section 22A.

Rajender said poor families should receive housing near their workplaces rather than being shifted far away. He demanded that the September 2 auction be cancelled and warned that continued sale of public assets could invite a strong public response.