High Court Halts GO 123 For Land Acquisition In Telangana 

Hyderabad: In a major set back to Telangana government, the Hyderabad High Court on Thursday issued a stay order on land acquisition for projects under GO 123.

About 100 farmers of Medak district approached High Court challenging an earlier order of a division bench allowing the government to take away lands as per GO 123 which supersedes a 2013 ordinance. The government issued GO 123 for the acquisition of land for various projects including Mallanna Sagar, Palamuru, Ranga Reddy lift irrigation, etc.

Farmers and others from Medak, Mahabub Nagar, Karim Nagar and other districts filed petitions challenging the GO and sought the stay which was deferred earlier to be issued again. They complained that the terms of payment of compensation for their lands as per GO 123 were against their interests and it was forcible acquisition.

Following prolonged arguments from both the sides, the High Court bench observed that the GO 123 needs to be further examined and asked the government not to proceed with land acquisition for any project under the GO in question. The government is allowed to acquire land under the previous ordinance of 2013.

The court will take up a detailed hearing before a final verdict is delivered.