Beneficiary selection faulted by Telangana in housing scheme
HC criticises ministers, MLAs picking allottees
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Monday found fault with the decision of the Telangana state government in entrusting the responsibility of selection of beneficiaries under the double-bedroom housing scheme to district ministers and the legislator of the respective constituency. At one stage the bench said that it would stay the government’s decision.
The bench was dealing with a PIL filed by city resident G. Devadas seeking to declare Para II and Para V of GO Ms.No. 10 issued by the government on October 15 giving powers to the district minister and legislator to eligible beneficiaries in a 50:50 ratio a illegal.
Mr Sarasani Satyam Reddy, senior counsel appearing for the petitioner, said there was no sanction for the office of district minister and he does not have an independent role and the MLA is a representative for a particular constituency. Entrusting the selection of beneficiaries of them would lead to depriving the benefit by deserving people.
He contended that entrusting the power to the district collector to choose engineering wings to execute construction of houses was bad in law. Reacting to the submissions, the bench prima facie felt that the decision of the government was against the law.
The bench asked how can the minister and MLAs seek applications from the people for the sanction of houses and how the government can issue such orders.
While observing that it would have been better if the government entrusted the responsibility to a committee of officials, the bench asked counsel appearing for the government to suggest to the government to withdraw the GO and issue a fresh GO and in the meanwhile it would stay the GO.
Mr B. Mahender Reddy, government counsel, sought a week’s time for the counter and assured no allotment will be made as per the GO. The matter was posted to November 30.
No to Mahbubnagar Godown operation
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Dilip B. Bhosale and Justice S. Ravi Kumar on Monday directed the TS government and its autho-rities to forthwith take steps to suspend all business operations, including the operation of godowns at Puddur in Gadwal mandal of Mahbubnagar.
The bench was dealing with a PIL by G. Krishna Reddy stating that private individuals were constructing godowns over some 24 acres by occupying government lands and without seeking permission. The bench granted stay on all business operations, including operation of godowns and posted the case for hearing after eight weeks.
NHAI official to visit Peddakunta
A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Dilip B. Bhosale and Justice S. Ravi Kumar of the Hyderabad HC on Monday directed the Hyderabad manager of the NHAI to visit Peddakunta Thanda in Mahbubnagar along with petitioner’s counsel and the local police officer and measure the distance between the underpass and the thanda on National Highway No 44. The bench was dealing with a PIL by Asim Avatar Das and two others of Hyderabad seeking protection for tribal womenfolk left in the thanda after the death of as many as 80 men belonging in road accidents while crossing the highway and also to direct the authorities to construct a subway near the village.
HC unhappy with PIL on police firing
A division bench comprising acting CJ Dilip B. Bhosale and Justice S. Ravi Kumar on Monday expre-ssed displeasure at a PIL seeking to declare the action of the police in opening fire at chain snatchers as illegal.
The PIL was filed by city resident Syed Mohammed Abdul Samad against the police firing at LB Nagar when two bike-borne chain snatchers were escaping.
Finding fault with the petitioner for moving a frivolous plea, the bench asked counsel whether the petitioner wanted the chain snatchers to continue with their offences in the city. While declaring that the PIL is not maintainable, the bench asked police to take precautionary steps while opening fire.
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