Hyderabad: Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday appealed to the high court to consider the interests of the people of Hyderabad in the wake of its directions regarding the removal of AV Ranganath as the commissioner of HYDRAA.In a statement from New Delhi, the MP claimed that HYDRAA had become essential for the future of Hyderabad and had played a significant role in protecting the city’s lakes, ponds, storm-water drains, layouts, parks and roads from encroachment.He said the agency had also helped improve coordination among the municipal, police and revenue departments in dealing with encroachments and protecting public assets. He claimed that HYDRAA had safeguarded govt properties valued at more than ₹1.5 lakh crore.Kiran Kumar Reddy alleged that certain real estate developers had engaged in rampant encroachments and sold flats and apartments to poor and middle-class families. As a result, around one to two per cent of property buyers who had purchased properties unknowingly were facing difficulties, he said.However, the interests of the remaining 98 per cent of the people must also be considered, he added, alleging that certain elements had approached the high court because the actions taken by the HYDRAA commissioner were earning a good reputation for the Congress govt. “The cases were being pursued with the objective of removing an upright officer and allowing encroachment networks to continue their activities,” he claimed.The MP said commissioner Ranganath had responded to complaints received from the public and urged beneficiaries of HYDRAA’s work to consider the importance of the agency’s continued existence.Kiran Kumar Reddy also called upon the people of Hyderabad, social activists and NGOs to come forward and highlight the benefits HYDRAA has brought to the city. He urged citizens to examine the facts and recognise the importance of protecting Hyderabad’s public assets, water bodies and urban infrastructure.
