HYDERABAD: Telangana government accorded Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) ₹72 crore on Monday as a part of its administrative sanctions.
Under the Budget Estimates (BE) for the financial year 2026-27, ₹50 crore was provisioned for assistance to HYDRAA. ₹22 crore was additionally sanctioned to the agency by the Metropolitan Area and Urban Development (MA&UD) department.
MA&UD Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan issued orders, according the funds to the agency.
BJP hails HC order, seeks HYDRAA scrapping
BJP state president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday welcomed the Telangana High Court’s order directing the state government to remove HYDRA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, calling it a major setback to the Congress government and its functioning.
Describing the verdict as “a blow to the government’s arrogance,” Ramchander Rao alleged that the Revanth Reddy-led government had turned HYDRAA into an instrument of intimidation. He claimed the agency had become a “theatre for tyranny”, targeting ordinary citizens and farmers under the guise of acting against illegal constructions.
The BJP leader accused the government of repeatedly violating court orders and undermining the rule of law. Referring to 63 contempt petitions filed against the authorities, he said the large number reflected official disregard for judicial directions. He also alleged that government teams entered private lands despite court mandates and ignored due legal safeguards.
Stating that neither the government nor senior officials were above the law, Ramchander Rao demanded strict implementation of the High Court’s directions and called for the complete abolition of HYDRA. He warned that the BJP would continue its agitation if the government persisted in ignoring judicial orders and democratic principles. He also assured support to people allegedly affected by the agency’s actions.
In a separate statement, BJP chief spokesperson N.V. Subash said the High Court’s observations on HYDRAA’s functioning vindicated the party’s long-standing criticism of the agency. While reiterating the BJP’s support for protecting lakes, water bodies and public lands, he said the party opposed what it described as selective enforcement, arbitrary demolitions and abuse of authority under HYDRAA’s present structure.