Grabbers thrive on Kadem project lands

Adilabad: Unscrupulous elements have encroached upon the lands meant for the Kadem Project, worth crores of rupees, in the Kadem mandal in the district. It is alleged that land sharks occupied these lands illegally and started construction activities on them. According to government records, there are 500 acres of land in Survey No. 33 and 35. While there is water in the Kadem Project in 200 acres, the government allocated some of the remaining 300 acres to various government offices and house site pattas for the poor.

The rest of the land meant for Kadem project was occupied by the encroachers, who started real estate business in it and also on land in Survey No 33. While the officials of the Revenue department asked the Irrigation Department officials to take action against the encroachers, the Irrigation Department officials, in turn, told revenue officials that it was their duty to take action. Some of the encroachers sold the lands at exorbitant rates and earned crores of rupees. It is alleged that the officials turned a blind eye towards land grabbers.

Surprisingly, even the Irrigation Department officials do not have records to state that the lands were meant for the Kadem project. Taking advantage of this, the encroachers said that the lands, which were meant for the Kadem project, rightfully belong to them and they haven’t occupied them illegally. One of the encroachers Gangaram, speaking to the media, said that he has documents at his disposal to substantiate his claims.

The locals said that the land sharks were able to get away with their illegal activities as proper coordination is missing between the officials of the Irrigation and Revenue Departments. They said that the government should take stringent action against encroachers and restore the lands meant for the Kadem project.