The Telangana Assembly session turned its attention to two critical issues Saturday that strike at the heart of property rights and urban governance. Lawmakers engaged in short discussions about Section 22A land classification problems that have left thousands of property owners in limbo, while also debating the sweeping Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Bill, 2026 that aims to modernize Hyderabad's municipal framework.

Key facts

  • Section 22A issues affect 1.16 crore acres of land according to opposition claims
  • CURE Bill received 4,107 public opinions leading to 70 changes
  • Hyderabad's population has grown from 15 lakh in 1955 to 1.30 crore today
  • BRS held mock assembly after 20 members were suspended from session

Land Rights Take Center Stage

The Section 22A discussion comes amid growing public frustration. People across Telangana, particularly around Hyderabad, have watched helplessly as their properties landed on the prohibited list—effectively freezing land transactions and creating financial uncertainty.

Opposition parties haven't been quiet about it. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi claims the Congress government has expanded the prohibited list from 16 lakh acres to a staggering 1.16 crore acres. BJP leaders walked out at the session's start, demanding the issue be prioritized, while also organizing city-wide protests calling for judicial inquiry.

Urban Governance Overhaul

Meanwhile, Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu presented the CURE Bill as essential modernization. "Hyderabad then and now is different," he told the Assembly, noting that the 1955 Municipal Act couldn't anticipate IT corridors, metro networks, or digital governance needs.

The bill proposes establishing a CURE Appellate Authority and aims to end the practice of illegal construction followed by regularization. But it faced immediate scrutiny from AIMIM Floor Leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, who questioned clauses that allow government suspension of elected mayors and members. "What is the use of elections," he asked pointedly, "if members elected by people do not have say or powers?"

Practical Concerns Emerge

Other lawmakers raised concrete quality-of-life issues. MLA Nalamada Padmavathi Reddy pushed for mandatory women's toilets in commercial buildings, while Danam Nagender emphasized the need for affordable transport options. Even the Charminar Pedestrian Project's delays became part of the conversation, with Owaisi noting the irony of criticism directed at his party for development delays in areas they represent.

As the monsoon session continues, all eyes remain on how the government will address both the immediate property rights concerns and the long-term urban governance vision.