HC Serious Over Both States On Prolonged Delay Over Allocation Of Medical Department Employees
The Supreme Court had asked the two state governments to examine the feasibility of retaining the employees and permanently absorbing them in their respective jurisdictions
Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court has taken a serious view of the prolonged dispute over the allocation of medical department employees between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, questioning the negligence of both state governments that had allowed interim orders to remain in force for six years.
The court directed the authorities of the medical departments to file their counter-affidavits by October 29 and cautioned that failure to comply could invite a penalty of `25,000 per day.
The court was dealing with the petitions filed by Dr Ratnam Andalu, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Government Maternity Hospital, Hanamkonda, who was on deputation at Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, and Dr Srilakshmi, professor of pathology at Government Medical College at Maheshwaram, who challenged the Telangana government`s orders of August 2026, relieving them of their duties so that they could to move to Andhra Pradesh, without final allocation proceedings from the Union government.
The petitioners contended that under Section 77 of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, the authority to make the final allocation of employees rested with the Central government. They argued that state-level authorities could not compel them to relocate before the Centre issued the final allocations and sought permission to continue in their posts until the process was completed.
The Centre had on January 26, 2016, issued provisional cadre allocation orders for employees of the medical education department. A division bench of the High Court had initially granted interim protection to the petitioners and others. After the writ petitions were dismissed in 2022, several employees approached the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had asked the two state governments to examine the feasibility of retaining the employees and permanently absorbing them in their respective jurisdictions. However, Andhra Pradesh contradicted the proposal of the Telangana government, particularly bearing responsibility for their pensionary benefits.
On the relieving orders issued by the Telangana government, the High Court had earlier issued stay on the relieving orders. On Friday, the court was not inclined to extend the stay orders.
HC restrains coercive action against properties in pending cases during Dasara vacation
Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to instruct district collectors and HYDRAA to not initiate coercive action against properties involved in pending court cases during the Dasara vacation, from October 17 to 25. The court clarified that authorities may issue notices in accordance with law.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar issued the direction while hearing a lunch-motion writ petition filed by Seelam Leelavathi of Chinthagudem in Penuballi mandal of Khammam district, who alleged that revenue officials were attempting to dispossess her by demolishing a cattle shed on her land without issuing notice.
The court observed that during the Dasara vacation, several attempts were reportedly being made by revenue authorities to dispossess parties claiming rights and interests in properties and to demolish structures, leaving the affected persons with limited opportunities to seek legal remedy.
Taking note of these concerns, the judge directed the principal secretary, revenue, and other authorities to issue instructions to all jurisdictional district collectors, including HYDRAA, to ensure that no coercive steps were initiated against properties involved in pending court cases during the specified period.
The court clarified that the direction would not prevent the revenue or other authorities concerned from issuing notices to affected parties in accordance with law.
In the petition before the court, the petitioner contended that she owned land measuring about 1.21 acres in various survey numbers at Chinthagudem. On October, the village revenue officer, accompanied by villagers and the husband of the local MLA, had visited the property and threatened to demolish the cattle shed, which she claimed had been standing for more than 20 years. In this case, Justice Shravan Kumar directed the parties to maintain the existing status quo over the disputed property till November 12 for further hearing.