Hyderabad, July 29: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revant Reddy stated on Tuesday that the state government firmly supports the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA).
This announcement comes after the Telangana High Court directed the immediate removal of HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath for repeatedly disregarding court orders. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, the Chief Minister mentioned that he had not yet reviewed the court’s directives in detail.
Revant Reddy emphasized that the government will assess the order and reiterated its respect for the judiciary. He described HYDRAA as the most significant reform of his administration, asserting that the agency will be further strengthened.
The Chief Minister accused certain individuals of spreading false propaganda against HYDRAA. He claimed that land encroachers have filed fabricated cases against the agency and presented fake documents to mislead the court.
He clarified that HYDRAA will continue its efforts to remove encroachments from reservoirs and government lands.
On Monday, the High Court instructed Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju to identify a suitable officer to replace Ranganath as head of HYDRAA. This directive was issued in connection with a contempt case involving a private construction company related to 40 acres of land in Lothkunta.
The single-judge bench noted that during Ranganath’s 18-month tenure, 63 contempt cases were reportedly pending against him. A private construction firm had filed a contempt case, alleging that HYDRAA officials encroached on the property despite court orders to refrain from doing so.
The High Court had ordered Ranganath to submit a written apology by Monday. An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Ranganath has been at the helm of HYDRAA since the agency’s establishment by the state government two years ago.
In the past two years, HYDRAA claims to have protected 3,315 acres of government land worth ₹1.5 lakh crore and restored several reservoirs. The agency reported that it has reclaimed and secured lakes, drains, parks, government lands, and blue-green resources.
Following the court’s order, Ranganath provided details about the agency’s accomplishments over the past two years, stating that land grabbers had filed contempt petitions against them.
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