The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to provide a detailed explanation of the interest payment and house site allotment to displaced persons from the Kaleshwaram irrigation project. The order, issued on 18 April 2025, comes after a petition by affected families who claim they have not received promised compensation. The court emphasized the need for transparency in the allocation process, which has been a source of legal and social contention for years.
Kaleshwaram Project Overview
The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, located in Telangana, is one of the largest multi-purpose irrigation projects in India. The project aims to provide water to over 2.5 million hectares of farmland across the state. However, the construction has displaced thousands of families, many of whom have not received the promised compensation or housing facilities.
The state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, has faced repeated criticism for delays in the implementation of resettlement and rehabilitation schemes. In 2023, the Telangana State Government allocated Rs 4,500 crore for the project, but the distribution of funds has been uneven, with many beneficiaries reporting no tangible benefits.
Legal Action and Court Ruling
A petition filed by a group of displaced farmers, represented by advocate Suresh Kumar, argued that the government had failed to fulfill its obligations under the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013. The court noted that while the government had issued guidelines, there was a lack of concrete evidence to prove that the compensation had been disbursed as required.
Justice Ravi Kumar, who presided over the case, stated, “The state has a legal and moral obligation to ensure that displaced persons are adequately compensated. The delay in this matter has caused undue hardship to the affected families.” The court has given the government 30 days to respond with a detailed report on the status of interest payments and housing allotments.
Impact on Displaced Families
Many families who were displaced during the initial phases of the project in 2017 have not received their house sites or the promised financial compensation. According to a 2024 report by the Telangana State Human Rights Commission, over 12,000 families are still waiting for their relocation packages.
One such family, the Reddys from Nizamabad district, have been living in temporary shelters for nearly six years. “We were promised a house and a payment of Rs 5 lakh each,” said Rajesh Reddy, a farmer. “But we have only received a small portion of the money, and our house site has not been allotted yet.”
Government Response and Next Steps
A spokesperson for the Telangana State Government stated that the project is on track and that all displaced families will receive their due compensation. “We are committed to ensuring that no family is left behind,” the spokesperson said. However, the government has not yet provided a timeline for the full implementation of the resettlement plan.
The court’s order has prompted renewed calls for accountability from civil society groups. The Telangana Social Welfare Association, a non-profit organization that advocates for displaced communities, has urged the government to accelerate the process. “The delay in compensation is not just a legal issue but a human rights issue,” said Nandini Rao, the association’s director.
Rehabilitation Challenges
One of the main challenges in the rehabilitation process is the lack of accurate records of affected families. According to a 2023 audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, over 3,000 displaced families were not properly documented, leading to delays in the disbursement of funds.
The state government has acknowledged these gaps and has launched a new data collection initiative. “We are working to ensure that every family is accounted for and that no one is left out,” said a government official.
What to Watch Next
The Telangana government has 30 days to submit a detailed report to the court. If the government fails to provide satisfactory answers, the court may take further legal action, including issuing a contempt notice. The case has drawn national attention, with several rights groups monitoring the situation closely. Displaced families are expected to continue their campaign for justice, with planned protests in Hyderabad and other major cities in the coming weeks.
