Telangana Govt Gets More Time to Mop Up Facilities at Residential Schools
Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court yet again extended the government an opportunity to file an additional affidavit or compliance report with regard to facilities to be provided to children in government hostels and residential schools. The panel, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, was dealing with a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by K. Akhil Sri Guru Teja. The PIL raised an issue with regard to deficiencies in respect of facilities provided to school children who are inmates of government hostels and residential schools. The panel had earlier directed the state to file a compliance report as per the instructions contained in Chapter IV of guidelines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2018. Counsel for the petitioner Prabhakar Chikkudu submitted that the compliance report was silent with regard to the mattresses, cotton durry, cotton bedsheets, pillows with cover, cotton blankets, cotton-filled quilt, mosquito nets and cotton towels to be provided to inmates of all government hostels and residential schools. Prabhakar also pointed out details of the toiletry or cosmetics to be provided to children and the supply of RO water to such inmates. The compliance report was silent on the menu that is being supplied to children as per Guideline No. 17 (10) of Chapter IV of Guidelines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Act, 2018. Counsel also said that the report did not disclose the availability of a psychiatrist/counsellor in those institutions. The additional advocate general contended before the panel that the facilities have to be provided to the children. Considering the same, the panel directed the state to file a compliance report by January 22.
HC admits writ against SCR for expansion acquisition
Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Telangana High Court admitted a writ plea challenging the actions of the general manager of the South Central Railways (SCR) and others in going ahead with construction on the land of the petitioner without acquiring it. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Prime Properties, alleging that the respondents are occupying and constructing on a portion of land belonging to the petitioner without any acquisition proceedings. It was alleged that the same was being done for expansion of a railway station. The petitioner referred to its legal notice issued to the respondents and pointed out that no response has been received. The petitioner contended that the actions of the respondent authorities are illegal and unconstitutional. After hearing counsel for the petitioner, the judge admitted the writ plea and ordered notice to the respondent authorities.
TF police accused of threatening petitioner to withdraw case
Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court will hear a writ plea challenging the actions of the Secunderabad special task force officer and others, in demanding that a person withdraw a habeas corpus petition. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Komatla Naveen Reddy, alleging that the respondent officials were demanding withdrawal of a habeas corpus petition filed by his parents seeking his release from illegal custody. It is alleged that the actions of the respondent authorities are wholly out of jurisdiction, uncalled for and unguided. It is also alleged that the actions of the respondent infringed the rights of the petitioner to have judicial review. Consequentially, the petitioner is seeking a direction to the respondent authorities to follow due process of law if any case is booked against petitioner in any of its police station. The matter is posted for further hearing.
Pay interest for delay in releasing retirement benefits: HC
A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court, comprising Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Radha Rani, ruled that delayed payment of terminal benefits entailed payment of interest to the employee. The panel allowed a writ petition filed by a retired employee challenging the non-payment of interest on delayed terminal benefits by the AP Cooperative Oil Seeds Growers Federation Limited. The panel dealt with a writ plea filed by D. Laxman Rao, who retired on superannuation in 2013. The petitioner sought to declare the inaction of the respondents in releasing his terminal benefits, including earned leave encashment of Rs 5,97,484 and an annual increment of Rs 5,936, as illegal and arbitrary. The petitioner argued that the delay violated the principles of natural justice. During the court proceedings, counsel for the petitioner emphasised the need for payment of interest on the delayed settlement of terminal benefits. Although the respondents expressed their willingness to release the principal amounts of the earned leave encashment and the annual increment, they opposed payment of interest. After considering the submissions and material on record, the panel directed the respondents to pay interest at six per cent per annum on the delayed terminal benefits within 90 days.
