Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court on Monday directed the state government to consider a representation for greater inclusivity under the Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa scheme. The panel, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, heard a PIL filed by agriculturist Gavinolla Srinivas.
The petitioner contended that the policy decision restricting the scheme to landless agricultural labourers in rural areas violated the guarantee of equality for similarly placed citizens in municipal areas. The counsel argued that even policy decisions could be judicially examined under certain conditions, and this case was one such instance.
The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 12,000 to beneficiaries in villages who are landless agricultural labourers. The sum is distributed in two installments of Rs 6,000 each every six months.
During the hearing, the Acting Chief Justice noted that the impugned order originated from the panchayat raj department, which lacked the authority to extend such benefits to persons living in urban areas.
The court, however, left it open to the petitioner to submit a representation for inclusivity to the Chief Secretary and the secretary of the municipal administration and urban development department. The respondents were directed to consider the representation within four weeks and issue a reasoned order, which would then be communicated to the petitioner.
LOC Against NRI Suspended Due to Trump Policy
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court passed an interim order suspending the Lookout Circular (LOC) and specific conditions imposed on a software engineer residing in the United States. The order took into account potential policy changes in the US, particularly those associated with the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) campaign led by President Donald Trump, which posed a threat to job security to the software engineer.
The judge heard a criminal petition filed by Krishna Kanth Tadepalli, who sought relief from conditions imposed in an earlier court order. The petitioner had previously been granted permission to travel abroad from December 6, 2024, to January 26, 2025.
However, the LOC issued against him was suspended only for this period. After the expiration of his travel permission, he sought further extension, citing personal and professional challenges.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that his client could not secure leave from his employer, making it difficult for him to return to India and comply with the trial court’s conditions.
Opposing the plea, the prosecution contended that serious allegations had been made against the petitioner, necessitating his presence before the trial court. The prosecution urged the judge to dismiss the petition.
After reviewing arguments and case records, the judge found merit in the petitioner’s plea. The judge noted that the petitioner had previously demonstrated his willingness to cooperate with the judicial process. Consequently, the court suspended conditions 8(c) and 8(d) of the trial court’s order, which likely pertained to restrictions on international travel and personal appearance.
Additionally, the LOC issued against the petitioner was suspended until further orders, allowing him to remain in the US without the immediate obligation to return to India. The case is scheduled for further hearing in April 2025.
Court Issues Contempt Notice to Nalgonda Collector
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court issued a notice to the Nalgonda district collector for failing to comply with earlier orders regarding the release of pending bills to sheep sellers who supplied livestock to the state government.
The Sheep Distribution Scheme, implemented by the Telangana State Sheep and Goat Development Cooperative Federation (TSSGDCF), as part of its initiative to increase the sheep population in the state. Under this programme, sheep were purchased from other states to avoid recycling and enhance the net population of livestock in Telangana.
The suppliers, who are primarily farmers, fulfilled their obligations by delivering the livestock to the state government and submitted applications for the release of their pending payments.
Despite multiple reminders, their requests were not addressed. Despite multiple reminders, their requests were not addressed. The matter escalated when the breeders filed RTI applications seeking clarity on the status of their payments. In response, the department of animal husbandry admitted its liability to release certain pending bills to the suppliers.
This admission led the aggrieved farmers to approach the Telangana High Court. Advocate E. Venkata Siddhartha, representing the suppliers, brought to the notice of the judge the plight of the farmers due to the non-payment of their dues.
After hearing the matter, the judge in a writ plea directed the concerned authorities to consider their applications and release the pending payments. However, the orders were not complied with, prompting the farmers to file contempt petitions.
During the hearing of contempt petitions, the state government provided an undertaking to the judge, assuring that the pending bills would be cleared within six weeks. Despite this assurance, the payments were not released, leading to another round of contempt petitions.
Taking serious note of the non-compliance, Justice Shravan Kumar issued a notice to the Nalgonda district collector and the department of animal husbandry. The matter has been posted for further adjudication.
