Telangana High Court questions plans for new Assembly building

Hyderabad: Surprised by the fact that the proposed Telangana state Assembly building at Errum Manzil does not have a construction plan though the foundation stone has been laid, the TS High Court asked state government how it could proceed with the construction work and help people  visualise what the new Assembly will look like. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Shameem Akther was dealing with the two public interest litigations challenging the demolition of Errum Manzil, the 145-year-old palace.

During the arguments, the bench censured state government for its failure to submit the plan of the building, utilization of 17 acres at Errum Manzil and reporting on the condition of the monument building at Manzil. “It is a vague statement of government that the building is not in a good condition without presenting evidence,” the bench observed.

The court directed state government to submit the plans for the new Assembly by July 8. The court also directed the TS government to submit Google Maps of the premises of both existing Assembly and the proposed Assembly by marking the usage portions.  Along with the plan and maps, the bench also asked the state government for the following information:

a) What actually was the government plan behind the construction of a new building for the Assembly despite the existing building being in a good condition and what is the justification for this.

b) Why does government wants to expand the Assembly  when the existing Assembly comfortably accommodated MLAs and MLCs of the erstwhile undivided AP though the strength has been reduced after bifurcation of the state

c) How is it going to utilize the 17 acres at Errum Manzil.

d) How does it justify the spending of the public exchequer for construction of a new building.

Countering  additional advocate-general J. Ramachandra Rao’s  contention on behalf of government that the judiciary does not have the power of judicial review on the policies taken by government, Justice Chauhan  referred to a Supreme Court judgement in a case related to the use of the public exchequer by the erstwhile government of BSP chief Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh. He said that the apex court had stated that the judiciary has the power of judicial review in the issue of wastage of public money.

Mr Satyam Reddy and Ms Rachana Reddy, counsels for the petitioners, submitted that the existing Assembly building was safe enough to continue, and the proposed place and its surroundings were gridlocked with residential and commercial complexes and congested roads with heavy traffic. They submitted that the Errum Manzil was a heritage building. However, the court refuted their contentions, as Errum Manzil was not listed among heritage buildings since 2017.

State government said that the plan was under preparation by various architects and consultants and would be available shortly, but the bench insisted that it be submitted by 3 pm on Friday.

Ms Rachana Reddy requested stay orders till July 8, stating that they cannot trust the TS government as it had demolished a similar building overnight. Justice Chauhan adjourned the hearing to July 9 for government’s affidavit and plan of the new Assembly.