Revanth Vows Legal Defense for HYDRAA as Government Resists Judicial Setback

Executive Authority and the Battle for HYDRAA

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy intensified his defense of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Tuesday, categorizing the organization as a hallmark reform of his administration. Speaking from Delhi, Reddy addressed recent judicial pressure, specifically the High Court’s directive to remove A.V. Ranganath from his role as Commissioner. The Chief Minister asserted that the power to appoint and post officers lies exclusively with the state government, adding that his legal team is currently evaluating every available option to contest the court's stance.

Reddy dismissed the growing wave of litigation against the agency as a calculated effort by those with interests in occupying public lands. While acknowledging the contempt proceedings surrounding HYDRAA operations, he noted that legal challenges are not unique to this office, citing a former Chief Secretary who once faced approximately 400 such cases. The Chief Minister specifically pointed toward BRS leadership, accusing them of filing cases with malicious intent and funding social media campaigns to propagate misinformation about the agency's mission.

Enforcement Mandate and Public Asset Protection

Despite legal friction, the government’s stance on environmental preservation remains aggressive. Reddy emphasized that the reclamation of encroached water bodies will proceed without compromise. The administration views HYDRAA not just as a local enforcement tool, but as a model that has garnered nationwide recognition for safeguarding public assets. "We possess absolute clarity regarding HYDRAA’s mandate," Reddy stated, signaling that the state will strengthen the agency rather than scale back its reach.

Address on Educational Integrity and Fiscal Commitments

Shifting focus to systemic failures in the education sector, the Chief Minister identified offline examination formats as a primary vulnerability leading to paper leaks. He directed sharp criticism toward the Central government, alleging an overreach meant to diminish state authority over universities. Reddy argued that keeping education firmly within state jurisdiction is the most effective way to prevent administrative irregularities. To address student concerns, he outlined two significant policy shifts:

• Strict Prosecution: Demanding immediate and severe action against individuals responsible for undermining examination integrity.
• Financial Reliability: Guaranteeing that the ₹2,200 crore required annually for fee reimbursements will be settled within the same financial year to eliminate chronic payment delays.

Source: The Hindu — Cities