Hyderabad, Dec 18 (Reporter) Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy introduced the Bhubharati-2024 Record of Rights (ROR) Act in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. The law is designed to resolve longstanding land disputes, protect land rights, and overhaul the revenue system to benefit farmers and landholders across the state. Addressing the Assembly, the Minister described the Act as a historic milestone. He noted that the 1971 ROR Act, implemented during the Congress government, had served Telangana effectively for almost five decades. However, he criticized the 2020 ROR Act and its Dharani portal, introduced by the previous administration, for disrupting land tenure systems and causing significant difficulties for tribal and rural communities. According to the Minister, the Dharani portal not only failed to resolve land disputes but also introduced new challenges, forcing many farmers to seek legal remedies. Referring to election promises, the Minister stated that the current government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, was fulfilling its commitment to replace the Dharani system with a more people-centric solution. The Bhubharati Bill, developed after thorough consultations with experts, public representatives, and farmers, offers a comprehensive resolution to land-related issues. Minister Ponguleti revealed that the government studied revenue systems from 18 states and sought feedback from intellectuals, poets, retired officials, and other stakeholders. Prominent leaders, including former minister Harish Rao and former MP Vinod Kumar, also contributed valuable insights to the process. The Act introduces reforms to safeguard land rights, particularly for farmers, tribals, and pattadars. It simplifies land administration by reducing the complex 33-module Dharani system to just six modules. Additionally, manual revenue records will be restored and maintained as a backup to prevent tampering and enhance transparency. Land tribunals will be established to address disputes and appeals, ensuring swift and fair resolutions. A unique Bhoodar number, akin to Aadhaar for individuals, will be introduced to streamline land identification and documentation. Minister Ponguleti highlighted the struggles of tribals in Narayanapuram, Kesamudram mandal, where over 1,398 acres of cultivated land were reclassified as forest property under the 2020 Act, causing significant distress. The Bhubharati Act aims to restore their rights and provide a permanent solution to such grievances. The Minister also emphasised the government’s plans to create a single, unified revenue law to replace outdated and fragmented regulations. The Minister assured that rules for the new Act would be framed within three months, followed by village-level revenue conferences to ensure effective implementation. The Bhubharati-2024 Act is expected to strengthen the revenue system, eliminate corruption, and address land disputes transparently and democratically. Expressing confidence in its success, Minister Ponguleti predicted that the Act would serve as a cornerstone for Telangana’s land governance for at least a century...////...