Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court has expressed displeasure at Telangana state officials for not implementing the judicial orders passed by the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal. A division bench comprising Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy and Justice G. Shyam Prasad expressed wonder that orders passed almost 16 years ago were not implemented. The bench directed the Chief Secretary to give an undertaking that he would review all the cases where the final tribunal orders had not been implemented, and ensure they are implemented in a time-bound manner.
The bench observed, “The successful parties are forced to have to one more round of needless litigation because of the government's inaction". The bench was dealing with a petition by Mr M. Srinivasa Rao and 19 others complaining that APAT orders passed in 2001 had not been implemented by the medical and health department. The petitioners told the court they had approached the APAT seeking regularisation of their services; the tribunal passed an order in 2001 directing authorities to take steps to regularise their services pay appropriate wages.
The bench said, “Unfortunately, the successful parties before the tribunal are not able to enjoy their victory because of the indifferent attitude of the officials. Such inaction of the officials in implementing the judicial orders mocks at the rule of law. This kind of situation is not proper.” The case was posted to August 28.
3K borewells closed in RR district: TS
The TS government has informed the Hyderabad High Court that it has issued guidelines following the orders of the Supreme Court to prevent death of children in abandoned borewells pits and to regulate the digging of borewells. The government told the court that it was mandatory to take permission to dig borewells, and drilling agencies, whether government or privately owned, have to register with the government agencies and renew their licence every two years.
If they fail to renew the licence, they face a Rs 1 lakh penalty and criminal action, he said. The government filed an affidavit giving these details following a direction of the High Court on a PIL filed by advocate B. Prakash. The PIL sought action on officers and those responsible for failing to take care of defunct borewells. Principal secretary, revenue, in his affidavit said that the guidelines were framed during a review meeting chaired by the minister for panchayat raj and rural development.
The rig operator has to ascertain whether permissions were granted or not before digging the borewell. Every operator has to inform the tahsildar or mandal revenue officer within three days after digging the borewell, he added. He said collectors were asked to conduct a survey with regard to abandoned borewells and issue notices to the owners to close them. Revenue staff have to keep the database online.
The official said that with regard to the Vikarabad incident, Chinnari, a two-year-old, could not be saved despite a 60-hour effort. He said a case was registered against the borewell owner. The family of the victim had been paid Rs 5 lakh compensation and free education offered to children and a job to a family member. He said about 3,000 abandoned borewells were sealed in Ranga Reddy district.
