Mon Dec 15 15:03:07 UTC 2025: Summary:
Telangana’s ambitious scheme to regularize “sada bainamas” (land transactions on plain paper) faces significant roadblocks a year after the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights) Act, 2024. Out of over 9.2 lakh applications, only a small number have been regularized. Key issues include officials insisting on affidavits from original sellers, name mismatches leading to software problems, and a lack of clear guidelines for officials, causing inconsistencies and delays. An expert suggests local inquiries as an alternative and points to Andhra Pradesh’s resurvey and extended application deadline. Telangana’s cut-off date for applications is June 2, 2014, with no provision for new applications. The expert recommends revising rules to address these issues and facilitate the process effectively.
News Article:
Telangana’s Land Regularization Scheme Stalls Amid Bureaucratic Hurdles
Hyderabad, December 15, 2025 – The Telangana government’s initiative to regularize land transactions documented on plain paper, known as “sada bainamas,” is reportedly struggling to gain traction, according to sources within the Revenue Department. Despite receiving over 920,000 applications, a minimal number have been processed nearly a year after the passage of the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights) Act, 2024.
The slowdown is primarily attributed to officials requiring affidavits from the original land sellers, a demand not explicitly stipulated in the Act. Name discrepancies between historical records and current landholders are also causing software-related complications. Furthermore, the absence of standardized guidelines for officials is leading to inconsistent interpretations of regulations and alleged discretionary practices.
“Officials should focus on conducting local inquiries,” advised land laws expert M. Sunil Kumar, who consulted on the Bhu Bharati Act. He cited the example of neighboring Andhra Pradesh, which is conducting a land resurvey and has extended the application deadline for regularizing sada bainamas until December 31, 2027.
In contrast, Telangana’s application window closed on June 2, 2014, the state’s Formation Day. Calls to extend the deadline during recent revenue meetings have been ignored.
Kumar suggests the government revise the rules, clearly defining the roles of officials and addressing the issues impeding the process. He emphasized the need for a streamlined approach to provide relief to landowners who have been unable to fully benefit from their properties. The delay has caused significant concern among affected landowners, who were hoping for a swift resolution to the issue.
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