Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court on Monday ordered notices to the managing director of Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation and others in a public interest litigation alleging illegal mining activities at Bichkunda, Kamareddy. The panel of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao treated a letter addressed to the Chief Justice by the President Bar Association, Bichkunda mandal and others as PIL. The letter states that illegal sand mining activities are taking place in Bichkunda mandal, more specifically in the Khadgam – Shetlur suburbs. The letter revealed that though deeply concerned, the local residents fear filing complaints due to intimidations and threats posed by people involved. It is stated that previous government had issued permissions for sand mining in six quarries in the Khadgam – Shetlur suburbs, whose validity had expired long back. On the pretext that sand mining was not completed as specified three months ago, sand thieves illegally obtained permission and resumed day and night sand mining in violation of all established rules. It is alleged in the letter that according to regulations, the miners are supposed to deposit the excavated sand in designated areas for sale under Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation. Instead the sand miners, in collusion with officials, were illegally transporting sand to Maharashtra, Karnataka and other states. The letter also disclosed that illegal transporting of sand is causing the government losses to the everyday tune of`20 lakh to `30 lakh, approximately. It is also alleged that officials are taking bribes of lakhs. The letter sought a thorough investigation into the illegal sand mining activities and the involvement of local officials. They called for installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations to prevent further mining. The panel ordered notices and directed the respondents to file their counter. When a group of persons came into the court at the hearing, the bench said that the letter had been taken on file and that it would deal with the allegations and clarified that it was not necessary for the persons to attend the proceedings.
Reconsider conductor’s plea
for reinstatement, HC to RTC
The Telangana High Court directed the road transport corporation to reconsider an order requiring one of its employees to retire from service on health grounds. The court was dealing with a writ petition filed by B.V.S.R. Murthy seeking reinstatement, providing a lighter job if necessary by sending the petitioner to an independent medical officer for a complete checkup. Faulting the procedure adopted by the corporation in the instant case, Justice S. Nanda referred to the relevant employees (Service) Regulations and said “it is clear that the respondents have not followed the regulations and that no notice was issued to the petitioner before passing the impugned order and no opportunity was given to him.” She ruled that “the respondents ought to have examined whether the petitioner was fit for any other alternative job if he is found to be unfit for the A2 category.”
The court also said that the period from his termination shall be deemed as in service and the corporation shall offer any other suitable job to which he is physically fit. The petitioner, a bus conductor, had a cardiac problem. Even on an earlier occasion the court had issued similar directions. The corporation initiated disciplinary proceedings for unauthorised absence. The judge granted 90 days to the corporation to consider the issue afresh.
Ganja peddler enlarged on bail.
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High court granted bail to an accused, alleged to have carried 360 kg of ganja, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. (Act) after being in custody for over 200 days. The judge was hearing a bail petition filed by Vikas Tyagi and two others, seeking bail under the Act. Counsel for the petitioner argued that the accused was arrested by Abdullapurmet police while allegedly carrying 360 kg of the banned substance and has been in jail for more than 230 days. The counsel for the petitioner further argued that the investigation was complete and a charge sheet was filed to initiate a false case against the accused. After hearing the petitioner, the judge granted bail to the accused on certain terms and conditions.
A freedom fighter now fights for his pension
Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the actions of the state in failing to provide pension benefits to an 81-year-old freedom fighter in the 1969 Telangana agitation. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Teppa Saraiah, who alleged that despite various representations to the state government, he is not being extended benefits of the pension scheme. The judge remarked that he had recently issued orders directing the state to consider all representations of freedom fighters seeking pension. However, as the case of the petitioner has not been considered, the judge ordered notice to the respondent authorities and posted the matter for further adjudication.
