A Division Bench of A.P. High Court comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyothi Sen Gupta and Justice P. V. Sanjay Kumar directed the State Government on Wednesday to produce the proceedings of the Cabinet meeting granting approval for a water project worth Rs. 7,390 crores for Chittoor district.
The Bench was hearing the arguments in a petition filed by T. Harish Rao, TRS MLA, challenging the action of the State Government in granting the water supply scheme and questioning the constitutional validity of Government Order issued on October 14.
Mr. Rao alleged that the Cabinet had not approved the scheme and this was meant exclusively for Chittoor district and there was no possibility of securing funds. The Advocate General told the court that funds have been released only after the Cabinet approved the scheme. The Bench directed production of these proceedings and listed the case for next week.
GO stayedJustice Noushad Ali stayed the operation of the Government Order which declared that the posts of principals, junior lecturers, physical directors etc of Gurukula Vidyalaya in tribal areas as zonal post covered by presidential order and not a State wide post.
The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by Babulal Naik and four others who challenged the G.O. 22. They contended that these Gurukulas are administered by a registered society formed by the Tribal Welfare Department and Presidential order arising out of Article 371D of the constitution of India is not applicable to the society.
He said that if the posts are fixed zonal wise their promotion will be severely effected and if the posts are State wide posts permitting posting at any place in the State they would get the promotion. The Judge suspended the operation of G.O.22.
Land allotment to parties under scannerA Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyothi Sen Gupta and Justice P. V. Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday asked the Principal Secretary, Revenue Department, to appear in person while bringing the details of alienations of land to political parties at discretionary rates.
It may be recalled that the Bench passed an order on Monday asking the State government to submit the details of alienation of land to political parties at discretionary rates. The Bench on Monday had set aside the order of State government in alienating land at Gudur to Nellore district unit of Congress party at a low price.
During the course of hearing, the Bench was told by the government pleader that the State government had been allotting land to parties on similar lines. The Bench wanted all the details to be placed before the court by Wednesday. However, on Wednesday, the court was informed that more time was needed. The Bench did not appreciate this and asked for the personal appearance of the official on December 24.
Ponnala’s election upheldJustice R. Kantha Rao upheld the election of Minister for Information Technology Ponnala Lakshmiah, from Janagon Assembly segment in 2009.
The judge was dismissing the election petition filed by K. Pratap Reddy who lost the election by 236 votes. He made serious allegations that Mr. Lakshmiah indulged in unfair election practices. The judge reminded that in an election petition such allegations are to be proved with evidence and found that the charges are not proved.
