Sulabh International challenges SCCL maintenance contract award
Sulabh International Social Service Organisation moved the Telangana High Court challenging the decision of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in awarding the maintenance contract for 213 toilet complexes to Ujjwal Sanitation Social Service Organisation.
Hyderabad: The Sulabh International Social Service Organisation moved the Telangana High Court challenging the decision of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in awarding the maintenance contract for 213 toilet complexes to Ujjwal Sanitation Social Service Organisation. The petitioner contended that the impugned action violated an existing long-standing agreement between the parties and prayed for upholding their rights under the original contract. The controversy arose after the SCCL board decided to engage agencies that provide benefits like ESI and PF to workers engaged in toilet complex maintenance. Sulabh International, however, expressed its unwillingness to offer these benefits stating that it was a voluntary charitable social service institution and was not required to extend ESI and PF benefits. The petitioner also argued that the issue of PF and ESI provisions was sub-judice before the Supreme Court, and this should not be a ground for rejecting their representation. The petitioner emphasised that their agreement clearly outlined the possibility of a contract extension for another 20 years. Earlier, Justice Surepalli Nanda had ordered interim suspension of the proceedings, effectively halting the contract award. The court further directed SCCL to allow Sulabh International to continue maintaining the 26 toilet complexes as per the previous agreement. The judge directed the respondents to file their response and posted the matter for further adjudication.
Waqf Board appeal on elections restored
A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court restored a writ appeal qua alleged inaction of Telangana State Waqf Board in conducting elections to Jama Masjid Syedna Abubakar Siddique (RZ) located at Al-Hasnath Colony, Toli Chowki, Hyderabad. The panel, comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice N. Tukaramji, was dealing with a review petition filed by the ex-committee for the institution contending that the order in appeal was passed without affording an opportunity of hearing them. Earlier, counsel for the board contended that because of rival claims by different groups for appointing the managing committee of the said institution, there was a delay in conducting the elections. Counsel assured that the board was ready to conduct elections in accordance with Andhra Pradesh Waqf Managing Committee (Constitution, Functions and Duties) Regulations, 2009 framed under the Waqf Act, 1995. In appeal, it was argued that the elections have to be conducted as per the dastoor (by-laws) framed in terms of Section 32 of the Waqf Act 1995 and accordingly it was directed conduct the elections within ten weeks by following the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995 as well as the dastoor (by-laws) framed thereunder. Counsel for the review petitioner argued that elections cannot be conducted as per the dastoor and it should be in accordance with the 2009 regulations. The panel accordingly restored the appeal and posted the matter for hearing.
Principal MAUD secretary gets contempt notice
Justice T. Madhavi Devi of the Telangana High Court issued Form-I against IAS officer Arvind Kumar, another who served as principal secretary for municipal administration and urban development (MAUD) department, and another for not regularising the petitioners notionally with effect from November 25, 1993. The judge was dealing with a contempt case filed by B. Kishan and others. Earlier, a single judge, while dealing with a writ plea, had categorically found the notional effect of regularisation of service should be given with effect from November 25, 1993. Therefore, the respondents were directed to issue regularisation orders to all the petitioners notionally with and to pay benefits to the petitioners. The petitioners complained that all their representations seeking to implement the order were in vain. The judge, on a prima facie finding that the officials had disobeyed court orders, directed their presence and posted the matter after four weeks.
Retired employee seeks benefits
Justice N. Rajeshwar Rao of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the non-release of pensionary benefits to a retired watchman. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by M. Padmamma, who retired from the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS). The petitioner contended that despite her retirement in October 2024, her pensionary benefits remain unsanctioned. She claimed that her services, which commenced in April 1994, were not regularised under GO dated April 22, 1994, unlike other similarly situated Class Four employees in the same society. As a result, her revised pay scale arrears for 2010, 2015, and 2020 were also withheld. The petitioner contended that the inaction of the TGSWREIS in regularising her services and withholding her pensionary benefits was illegal, arbitrary, and in violation of the principles of natural justice. The petitioner sought immediate direction to regularise her services and to release her pensionary benefits along with arrears for the revised pay scales of 2010, 2015, and 2020, with applicable bank interest. The matter is posted for further adjudication.