Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court has directed the Andhra Pradesh government to initiate disciplinary proceedings against revenue divisional officer, Gudivada of Krishna district, for colluding with a farmer and allowing him to build a sluice, water sump and motor shed and allowing them to stay in place the Kolleru lake was notified as a wildlife sanctuary.
Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao was allowing two petitions by farmer Nadimpalli Murthy Raju of Kaikaluru challenging the revenue and forest officials ignoring action against Indukuri Venkata Ramaraju for his alleged illegal occupation of the drainage and irrigation canals situated on the Polaraju drain which falls within the +5 contour of the lake.
Mr Murthy Raju alleged that Mr Venkata Ramaraju had occupied the canals and constructed a sluice to draw water from the Polaraju canal into his fish ponds, besides constructing a room to house the pump set.
In turn, Mr Venkata Ramaraju alleged that he was forced to construct the sluice since Mr Murthy Raju had occupied a major portion of the canal in the sanctuary area and the water channel.
Forest officials in their report admitted the that the sluice, water sump and motor shed were in existence prior to 2006, and they were not demolished during Kolleru operation in 2006.
The judge noted that the RDO has not filed a counter affidavit despite several reminders from the court. When the court ordered his personal appearance, he filed an affidavit which was in contradiction to the report of the forest department and he also tried to conceal certain crucial facts.
The judge directed the Krishna collector to start an inquiry against the RDO, local MRO, DFO and two assistant engineers of the irrigation department for allowing Mr Venkata Ramaraju continuing his unlawful activity and take action.
The judge directed the government to inquire into the allegations against the petitioner and take action against him if the allegations are proved.
The judge imposed costs of Rs 10,000 on the DFO and directed him to pay to the petitioner within two weeks from the date of receipt of this order.
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