CityLightBuzz: Hyderabad, August 22, 2026: Union Minister for Coal and Mines and senior BJP leader G. Kishan Reddy addressed a media conference at the BJP Telangana state office in Hyderabad, where he spoke on several state and national issues. He strongly criticised the Congress government in Telangana over alleged land irregularities, fee reimbursement dues, welfare scheme implementation and voter-list revision.
Kishan Reddy alleged that Telangana had witnessed an increase in land disputes, alleged land deals and settlement activities under the Congress government.
He demanded a comprehensive judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into the alleged inclusion and removal of private lands from the 22A prohibited properties list during the last two to three years.
He alleged that large tracts of private land, particularly in Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal districts, had been included in the 22A list. He further alleged that private houses and plots that had obtained municipal permissions and had been paying taxes for decades were being brought under the prohibited list.
Kishan Reddy claimed that people and builders were being subjected to harassment in the name of settlements and alleged that demands for large financial shares and bribes were being made.The BJP leader also criticised the functioning of HYDRA and alleged that different standards were being applied to ordinary citizens and politically influential groups.He announced that BJP legal cells across Telangana would provide free legal assistance to affected people and farmers, from the mandal level to the High Court.
Demand for Probe Into 22A Land Entries
Kishan Reddy demanded a judicial investigation into all lands added to or removed from the 22A prohibited list during the past two to three years.
He said the rights of genuine landowners must be protected and called for complete transparency in the process.
Why Was the Central Government Logo Removed from PMGKAY Cards?
Kishan Reddy also questioned the Telangana government over the design of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) ration cards.
He said the Central Government bears a major share of the cost of providing free foodgrains to beneficiaries under the scheme, including procurement, transportation and dealer commissions.He alleged that while several states display the Central Government logo and identify the scheme appropriately, Telangana ration cards allegedly carry only the photographs of the Chief Minister and the State Civil Supplies Minister.
Kishan Reddy questioned why the Prime Minister’s name and Government of India logo were not being displayed on the cards when the Centre was providing substantial financial support for the scheme.
He warned that if the state government continued to present Central welfare schemes as its own, the Centre could explore alternative mechanisms to ensure that benefits reach eligible beneficiaries directly.
₹15,000 Crore Fee Reimbursement Dues
Kishan Reddy demanded that the Telangana government immediately clear the approximately ₹15,000 crore in pending fee reimbursement dues owed to educational institutions.
He alleged that the delay in releasing funds had created a serious crisis in the education sector, with some engineering colleges facing financial difficulties.
He further claimed that private colleges were withholding certificates from students who had completed their courses because of pending fee reimbursement payments, affecting their higher education and employment opportunities.
Kishan Reddy also questioned the status of the ₹5 lakh Vidya Bharosa Cards and scooters promised to female students in the Congress election manifesto.
Revanth Reddy’s Foreign Visit Clearance
On the controversy surrounding political clearance for Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s foreign visits, Kishan Reddy said the Ministry of External Affairs takes decisions based on diplomatic rules, international security protocols and established procedures.
He rejected allegations of political vendetta and said such procedures had existed even under previous Congress governments. He pointed out that BJP ministers had also faced situations in the past where foreign travel permissions were not granted.
He advised the Congress not to politicise the issue.
Voter List Revision Is a Constitutional Process
Kishan Reddy said the Election Commission of India is an independent constitutional body carrying out voter-list revision in accordance with the principle of “one person, one vote.” He said the process involves identifying and removing duplicate and deceased voters from electoral rolls.
Kishan Reddy accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of allegedly creating fear among people over the voter-list revision process. He claimed that statements suggesting people could lose ration cards, land, property or pensions if they did not register their votes in villages had created anxiety among the public.
He also claimed that the number of voters in the Secunderabad constituency had declined by around 9.35 lakh, and questioned why the state government was blaming the Centre when state government officials and Booth Level Officers were involved in the voter-list process.
Tribute to Journalist Shoaibullah Khan
Earlier, Kishan Reddy paid tribute to Shoaibullah Khan, the editor of Imroze, on his death anniversary.
He recalled Shoaibullah Khan’s opposition to the Razakar atrocities and the Nizam’s rule and his contribution through journalism.
Kishan Reddy said Shoaibullah Khan was brutally killed on August 21, 1948, after advocating for the national flag and the implementation of the Constitution of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. He noted that the Imroze newspaper had played an important role in spreading awareness among people during that period.
Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17
Kishan Reddy announced that the Hyderabad Liberation Day (Hyderabad Mukti Diwas) would be officially observed by the Central Government at Secunderabad Parade Grounds on September 17.
He said the programme would feature a paramilitary parade and cultural performances by Telangana artists.
Kishan Reddy criticised previous BRS and the present Congress governments, alleging that they had avoided officially organising the event due to vote-bank politics and pressure from the AIMIM.
He noted that neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka have been officially observing the occasion for several years.
Congress’ History and Rahul Gandhi’s Conduct
Kishan Reddy also criticised Congress over its response to student movements and recalled the 1969 separate Telangana movement, alleging that 369 students were killed in police firing in Hyderabad.
He said Delhi Police had exercised restraint during recent protests near Parliament and criticised Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for what he described as irresponsible statements that could provoke young people.
Kishan Reddy also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as his decision to forgive certain offensive remarks directed at him and his late mother and withdraw cases in the matter.
The BJP leader said political parties should maintain responsibility and restraint while addressing sensitive issues involving students, public protests and national institutions
