Kadapa: Swarnalatha, wife of former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, is at the center of a controversy over five acres of pond land assigned to her under a patta in Veerballi, Annamayya district. Detailed records in Adangal reveal that she owns the land under survey number 2139, described as pond land, which was converted to freehold in 2023.
Assigned patta lands are typically given to those below the poverty line. However, the YSRCP government decided to grant freehold status to such lands if they have been occupied for over 20 years. This decision has drawn severe criticism, especially after a recent incident involving the Madanapalle Sub-Collector’s office.
RP Sisodia, Special Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department, stated that some lands without 20 years of occupancy were converted to freehold, prompting an investigation and a fresh review.
The issue of Swarnalatha’s assigned land has raised eyebrows, particularly since she also owns large farms in Madanapalle mandal, Vahalpalle, and Bandameeda Kammapalle. Questions have arisen about her lack of connection to Madanapalle while owning land and applying for land conversion there.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny on the government’s land allocation and conversion policies.
