An Analytical Report by Way2RTI.com for Public Interest, Awareness, Prevention of Corruption and Elimination of Service Delays
Telangana Revenue Department’s Section 4(1)(b) RTI Information Manual 2026: Comprehensive Information on Citizen Rights, Officers, Salaries, Records and Time Limits
Hyderabad (Way2RTI News Desk):
With the objective of promoting transparency in government administration, preventing corruption and reducing delays in public services, the Telangana Revenue Department has updated and published its comprehensive Information Manual under Section 4(1)(b) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
The information was furnished in response to an RTI application filed by RTI activist Shri Ganji Srinivasa Rao, with the Joint Secretary to Government and First Appellate Authority of the Revenue Department providing the relevant details.
For public welfare, citizen empowerment and greater accountability in government administration, Way2RTI.com presents the following analysis of the important information contained under Section 4(1)(b).
Why Is Section 4(1)(b) Important for the People of Telangana?
Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005 requires public authorities to proactively disclose important information about their organisation, functions, duties, officers, rules, procedures, budgets, remuneration and Public Information Officers (PIOs).
This can significantly reduce the need for citizens to file separate RTI applications for information that should already be publicly available.
Reduced RTI Applications and Fees
When details of departments, officers, budgets, rules and PIOs are proactively available, citizens need not file separate RTI applications and pay fees merely to obtain basic departmental information.
Check on Corruption and Rule Violations
Publication of service procedures, applicable rules and time limits enables citizens to identify delays, irregularities or deviations from prescribed procedures and seek accountability.
Identify Responsibility for Delays
Details of officers and PIOs help citizens identify the appropriate authority dealing with their matter and seek information about the status of a pending file.
Public Monitoring of Government Expenditure
Information regarding salaries, budgets and expenditure enables citizens to monitor the use of public money and promotes financial transparency.
Time Limits for Disposal of Files
According to the office procedure information contained in the Revenue Department’s manual, certain categories of files have specified time limits:
| Type of File / Matter | Maximum Time Limit |
| Routine matters | 3 days |
| Files requiring policy decisions | 10 days |
| References / Letters / U.O. Notes from other departments | 3 days |
| Policy decision files received from other departments | 7 days |
If a file remains pending beyond the prescribed period, citizens may ask the concerned authority for the reason for the delay and, where appropriate, seek relevant records under the RTI Act.
Revenue Department Budget and Officers’ Monthly Remuneration
According to the information provided, ₹2,454.31 lakh was allocated for the functioning of the Secretariat Revenue Department under Head of Account 2052 – Secretariat General Services under the 2026–27 Non-Plan allocation.
This amounts to approximately ₹24.54 crore.
Citizens can also seek information regarding the utilisation of these funds, including expenditure incurred, purpose-wise expenditure and unspent balances, subject to the availability of records.
Monthly Remuneration of Senior Officers
The information supplied contains the following monthly remuneration figures:
- Principal Secretary (Endowments): Smt. Shailaja Rama Iyer, IAS — ₹4,25,790
- Secretary (Land Revenue): Shri D.S. Lokesh Kumar, IAS — ₹3,57,580
- Secretary (Commercial Taxes & Excise): Shri M. Raghunandan Rao, IAS — ₹3,01,120
- Special Secretary (Registrations & Stamps): Shri Rajeev Gandhi Hanumanthu, IAS — ₹2,16,200
- Assistant Secretaries: approximately ₹1.56 lakh to ₹1.76 lakh
- Section Officers: approximately ₹1.08 lakh to ₹1.63 lakh
- Assistant Section Officers (ASOs): approximately ₹56,618 to ₹1.59 lakh
The above figures are reproduced from the information supplied. Actual remuneration may vary depending on pay level, allowances, revisions and applicable Government orders.
Important Officers and PIOs for Citizens
The information supplied under Section 4(1)(b) includes contact details of senior officers and Public Information Officers.
| Designation / Department | Officer | Mobile | Major Responsibility |
| Principal Secretary (Endowments) | Smt. Shailaja Rama Iyer, IAS | 9848999784 | Administration of Endowments Department |
| Secretary (Land Revenue) | Shri D.S. Lokesh Kumar, IAS | 8008889155 | Land Administration, Services, Assignments |
| Secretary (Commercial Taxes & Excise) | Shri M. Raghunandan Rao, IAS | 9849956780 | Commercial Taxes and Excise |
| Special Secretary (Registrations) | Shri Rajeev Gandhi Hanumanthu, IAS | 8247619306 | Registration and Stamps |
| Additional Secretary (General) | Smt. L.L.V. Subbamma | 9949093657 | Revenue/Service Vigilance, CMRF, Land Administration |
| Joint Secretary & Appellate Authority | Smt. J.V. Vijayalakshmi | 8790928866 | Appeals, Excise & CT Vigilance |
| Assistant Secretary / PIO (Land Administration) | Shri G. Suresh Kumar | 9963902846 | Land Administration, Services-I, ULC |
| Assistant Secretary / PIO (Excise) | Shri S. Srinivasulu | 9492521074 | Excise-I & II, Vigilance |
| Assistant Secretary / PIO (Registrations) | Shri B. Saida | 9581992012 | Endowments and Registrations |
| Assistant Secretary / PIO (OP) | Shri P. Govindu | 9581990005 | Office Procedure |
| Assistant Secretary / PIO (CMRF) | Shri K. Lal Bahadur Shastri | 8790925500 | CMRF, Relief Fund, Vigilance |
| Assistant Secretary / PIO (CT) | Shri K. Mallikarjuna Rao | 9581994141 | Commercial Taxes |
Note: Government postings and contact numbers may change. Citizens should verify the latest details from the official departmental directory before contacting an officer.
Citizens’ Right to Access Information
The RTI framework provides citizens with mechanisms to obtain information from public authorities in a transparent and time-bound manner.
According to the information supplied:
Meeting Officers
Citizens may meet the Assistant Secretary and above-level officers of the Secretariat Revenue Department on working days between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM with their representations.
RTI Application
An RTI application may be submitted in writing or through an electronic mode, subject to the applicable procedure. Applications may be made in Telugu, Hindi or English.
BPL Applicants
Persons belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category are entitled to exemption from the prescribed RTI application fee, subject to the applicable rules.
Important: An RTI applicant should not assume that an Aadhaar card is mandatory for filing an RTI application. The RTI Act requires the applicant to be a citizen and to provide the information necessary for processing the application; unnecessary personal documents should generally not be demanded.
23 ASO Sections — Why They Matter to Citizens
The Revenue Department Secretariat has divided different subjects among various Assistant Section Officer (ASO) sections, helping establish responsibility for particular files and subjects.
Important areas include:
- Land assignments
- Inam laws
- Dharani / Pattadar Passbook matters
- Urban Land Ceiling (ULC)
- Excise policy
- Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF)
- Land administration
- Registration and Stamps
- Commercial Taxes
- Vigilance matters
Knowing the relevant subject, section, PIO and First Appellate Authority can help citizens approach the correct authority instead of making repeated visits to different government offices.
Way2RTI Message to the Public
Citizens should not feel compelled to depend on middlemen merely because a government file is delayed.
First, know the rule.
Then identify the responsible officer.
Know the prescribed time limit.
Ask for the relevant records.
Use the Right to Information Act where necessary.
Proactive disclosure under Section 4(1)(b) can strengthen transparency, reduce unnecessary delays, improve accountability and help prevent opportunities for corruption.
Public Message from Way2RTI.com
“Find out where your file is pending.
Identify the officer responsible.
Ask why it is delayed.
Obtain the relevant records through RTI when necessary.
Know and exercise your right to information.”
Way2RTI.com — Promoting public awareness, transparency and accountability through the Right to Information.
NOTE: Seeking Model RTI application please send me request to our email: gsrao@way2rti.com
