The Telangana government faces criticism over the HYDRA (Hyderabad Regulation Authority) initiative, with accusations of overreach and disregard for due process. Allegations suggest the government may be infringing on property rights, targeting marginalized groups, and undermining justice. Public concern grows as activists demand transparency and accountability from authorities.
There has been scathing criticism of the HYDRAA agency’s demolitions from both the public and opposition political parties.
Two months since it was instituted, the perception that the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency or HYDRAA has disproportionately affected the disadvantaged sections of society has grown. The Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government’s lack of information on what the exact science is behind the operations has added to the confusion and the feeling of mistrust against it.
Recently, AV Ranganath, the chief of HYDRAA, made a startling remark by saying that he would not give residents whose houses are going to be demolished time to approach courts as it would impede his work, as it would allow them to secure stay orders.
This statement reveals a clear intent by the state government to bypass citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed right to appeal to the courts, while allowing itself to ride roughshod over the established due process of the law of the land. It signals a troubling shift toward authoritarianism, where judicial process and fundamental rights are given a go-by in favour of expedient and unilateral actions.
HYDRAA has been demolishing structures that have come up on lake beds and buffer zones in and around Hyderabad. Chief minister Revanth Reddy, who is investing huge political capital into the initiative, says that it is to clear encroachments on the lake beds, which have, over the years, caused floods in Hyderabad. (Read Full Story)
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