Independent jury says Telangana future city plan took farmers' land
Telangana's big Future City plan is in hot water after an independent jury said the government took farmers' land without proper consent or notice.
The report, released on Wednesday in Hyderabad, says officials even destroyed standing crops and used heavy police presence during the process.
Over 600 people showed up at a public hearing in Tathiparthi village to share their stories, including over 25 farmers, tenants and agricultural laborers who say they were directly affected.
Jury: online record swaps hinder loans
The jury also alleged that some farmers' names were swapped out for TGIIC in online records, making it hard for them to get loans or farm supplies.
They flagged that the government skipped required approvals and ignored court orders: moves that could count as contempt of court.
The jury wants all new land grabs stopped where farmers haven't agreed, while critics say the project is just Pharma City rebranded despite earlier promises to return land.
The state's chief minister defends Future City as key for development, but the project has become politically contentious.