HC directs SKOL Breweries to explain its stand on unauthorised construction charges

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed Skol Breweries Ltd at Shivampet village of Medak district to submit a detailed counter within two weeks on the construction of brewery without any permission from the local authorities and sought a reply to the charges that it was careless to pay local taxes as per the provisions of Panchayat Raj Act.

The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Jukanti Anil Kumar, was dealing with a public interest litigation (PIL), complaining that no action was taken by the Panchayat Raj department to stop the unauthorised construction of brewery by Skol  Breweries on land in Survey.Nos.201, 203, 220, 221, 222, 226, 227 and 228 situated in Shivampet village, Medak district.

The grievance in this public interest litigation was that Skol Breweries have raised a construction without obtaining any permission and has not paid any permission fee to the gram panchayat.

The gram panchayat, Shivampet, had issued a notice dated 01.11.2008 to the brewery company directing them not to proceed further with the construction work.  But, further no action has been taken against  the unauthorised construction. The PIL has been pending since 2010 and no counter has been filed since then

On a previous hearing, the High Court directed the District Panchayat Officer of Medak, and the Secretary of Gram Panchayat of Shivampet village of Pulkal mandal, Medak district to present before the  Court and to explain why the authorities failed to  take appropriate decisions  against the violations.

Following the directions of the court, the authorities appeared and explained to the court that the notices were issued for the unauthorised construction. However, the counsel for Skol Breweries requested time to submit their contentions. The court gave two weeks time to file a detailed explanation to all the charges levelled against it.