NGT issues notice to KTR over illegal construction of farmhouse

Following the objections raised by Congress MP and working president A Revanth Reddy, the National Green Tribunal on Friday (June 5) issued a notice to Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao over alleged illegal construction of a farmhouse at Janwada near Hyderabad.

In connection with the case, the NGT also issued notices to the Telangana government, Pollution Control Board (PCB) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HDMA).

Reddy filed a plea against KTR alleging that the construction of the farmhouse violated a government order (GO 111) which bars developing permanent structures in the catchment area of the Osmansagar Lake.

In his plea, Reddy accused KTR of buying the 25 acre land and putting up permanent buildings flouting the order.

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Taking note of the objections, the NGT set up a fact-finding committee, headed by the Central Environment Registry Regional Office, a report in India Today stated, adding that the high-level group will submit its report in two months.

With several such cases sprouting in the state, the NGT also directed the committee to check whether the 2018 board’s judgement in GO 111 is being properly implemented in Telangana.

In his plea, Reddy alleged that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s son constructed a three-storey farmhouse in the area, violating the green norms.

Redy, who was arrested in March for flying a drone over unlawfully over the farmhouse, was released on bail on March 18.