India, Aug. 26 -- The inclusion of thousands of private properties under Section 22A of the Registration Act, 1908, prohibiting transactions of these properties, has kicked up a major political controversy in Telangana, with the opposition accusing the Congress government of turning the provision to harass common people.

The state government, however, has defended the restrictions, saying they are essential to protect public land and prevent fraudulent registrations. At the same time, it has assured to rectify mistakes, if any, in the registration of genuine land transactions.

According to a senior revenue department official, Section 22A of the Registration Act, 1908, empowers the government to identify certain categories of properties...