Justice A. Rajasekhar Reddy of Hyderabad High Court made it clear that Peoples Plaza in Necklace Road can be leased out only through public auction and not by allotment by officers based upon circulars. This declaration was made by the judge in writ petition filed by L. Bharat Reddy of Handloom Craft Fun Fair. He complained that officers of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority had allotted Peoples Plaza area on a rent of Rs. 51,000 per day to Maha Ustav Mela though he has offered Rs. 1 lakh per day as rent. The HMDA claimed that guidelines were framed and rate was fixed at Rs. 51,000 per day. When someone deposits half the rent in advance he will be given the ground on rent. The judge reminded that such leasing out shall be done only after public auction as declared by Supreme Court and High Court on several occasions. The lease given to Maha Ustav Mela was stayed. The HMDA was given liberty to go for public auction for leasing out the ground at Peoples Plaza. - Legal Correspondent
