PNS|Hyderabad
The Telangana Government is all set to launch the long-awaited forensic audit of the Dharani Portal next week.
Sources confirmed that the process will begin soon, signalling a crucial phase in addressing the alleged irregularities that marred land transactions during BRS rule.
Initially, the state had shortlisted a government agency from Kerala to carry out the audit. However, concerns over inter-governmental coordination and the need to maintain administrative independence led to a change in plans. Now, three private companies have been shortlisted for the assignment, and their representatives have already met Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.
“All the shortlisted firms are Indian, and the idea is to maintain full transparency. We are not looking outside the country for this as it is the public’s data,” sources said.
The scope of the audit has also widened considerably. Sources clarified that the state’s newly-launched Bhubharati portal has made it easier to organise and access land records, paving the way for a full-scale forensic investigation.
“Now, as the Bhubharati is ready, Dharani’s forensic audit is the logical next step,” sources said.
The audit will be undertaken for a small budget and is expected to be completed within three months from the date of formal assignment. The selected company will investigate various types of transactions recorded since the Dharani Portal’s launch in 2020, including potential illegal transfers of government, Waqf, endowment and assigned lands.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that by August 15, people will be completely free of Dharani.
The move is seen as a crucial test of the Revanth government’s commitment to ensure land record transparency and its pledge to dismantle the corrupt ecosystem that was embedded into the Dharani platform.
