Hyderabad High Court directs Telangana government to counter plea on districts

Hyderabad: Making it clear that any further proceedings with regard to reorganisation of districts in the state would be subjected to final orders of the court, the Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the TS government to file a counter affidavit on a petition challenging the preliminary notification issued on the subject.

Justice A. Rajasheker Reddy was dealing with a petition by Avunoori Ramakanth Rao, advocate and four sarpanchs of gram panchayats in Illanthakunta mandal of Karimnagar district, challenging GO 362 issued on August 22, 2016 and Form I notification to proceed with the formation of new districts.

Sarasani Satyam Reddy, senior counsel appearing for the petitioners, contended that the statutory Rule 4(1) of the Telangana Districts (Formation) Rules, 1984 mandates the government to display the preliminary notification in grama chavidis and the offices of the gram panchayats.