Fri Jan 09 01:33:33 UTC 2026: ### Telangana Farmers Trapped in Land Ownership Limbo Despite New Law

The Story:

Thousands of small and medium farmers across Telangana remain caught in a bureaucratic quagmire, unable to secure legal ownership of the lands they have cultivated for decades. The primary obstacle is the insistence of Revenue officials on an affidavit from the original land seller or their legal heirs, a condition often impossible to fulfill due to death, migration, or unwillingness of the sellers. This issue, rooted in the historical practice of Sada Bainamas (unregistered agreements), persists despite the enactment of the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Act, 2025, intended to resolve the issue. Farmers allege corruption and discretionary enforcement, further complicating the process.

The situation is a cruel paradox, with farmers appearing in official records as cultivators but denied official ownership, hindering their access to credit and welfare schemes. While the new Congress government sought to address this issue through the Bhu Bharati Act, the affidavit requirement, stemming from rules framed under the Act, continues to stall progress. The future hinges on whether the government will streamline the process and alleviate the affidavit burden.

Key Points:

  • Thousands of farmers in Telangana are unable to obtain legal ownership of their land due to the affidavit requirement for Sada Bainama regularisation.
  • The requirement for affidavits from original sellers or their heirs is often impossible to meet due to death, migration, or unwillingness to cooperate.
  • The issue stems from the historical practice of Sada Bainamas, unregistered land agreements common in rural Telangana.
  • The Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Act, 2025, aimed to resolve this issue, but progress has been slow due to the affidavit requirement.
  • Farmers allege corruption and discretionary enforcement by officials.
  • The High Court lifted the stay on Sada Bainamas on August 6th, 2025

Key Takeaways:

  • The persistence of the affidavit requirement undermines the intended benefits of the Telangana Bhu Bharati Act, 2025.
  • The lack of clear operational guidelines for the new Act leads to inconsistent implementation and potential for corruption.
  • The issue highlights the need for comprehensive land surveys and reforms to address historical inconsistencies in land records.
  • The situation calls for alternative methods of verifying land ownership, such as local inquiries and Gram Sabhas.

Impact Analysis:

The failure to resolve the Sada Bainama issue has significant long-term implications for Telangana’s agricultural sector and rural economy.

  • Economic Impact: Farmers without legal titles are unable to access institutional credit, limiting their ability to invest in their farms and improve productivity. This also affects their eligibility for government welfare schemes, further exacerbating their economic vulnerability.
  • Social Impact: The lack of secure land tenure creates uncertainty and insecurity for farming families, leading to social unrest and potential land disputes. It also hinders the smooth transfer of land through inheritance.
  • Political Impact: The Sada Bainama issue has been a recurring political issue, influencing election outcomes. Failure to address it effectively could erode public trust in the government and lead to further political instability.

Resolving the Sada Bainama issue is crucial for unlocking the potential of Telangana’s agricultural sector and ensuring the economic and social well-being of its farming communities. Streamlining the regularisation process, addressing corruption, and ensuring equitable access to land rights are essential steps toward achieving this goal.

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