Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Thursday informed the High Court that the recent GO 69, removing the restrictions imposed on 84 villages covered under GO 111, is subject to a condition that the water quality of the Osmansagar and Himayatsagar lakes shall not be impacted adversely.
It also told the court that all efforts will be made to improve the water quality in these lakes.
Special chief secretary to Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Arvind Kumar, gave the assurance via an affidavit filed before the High Court.
This was done after the government was asked by the court to place a sworn affidavit about the details of the lands that are in non-catchment areas in Vattinagulapally area of Shankar Pally village in Ranga Reddy district.
In a petition, Agni Agritech and three others having lands in Vattinagulapally village approached the high court with a complaint that the authorities are not allowing them to develop their lands on the pretext of GOs 111 and 69. They told the court that despite their lands falling in a non-catchment area, their applications for approvals were rejected. They requested the court to issue a directive to the authorities to delineate their lands from the purview of GO 111 and 69.
Previously, the court had ordered the additional advocate general of Telangana to file an affidavit submitting the details of lands in Vattinagulapally village, so as to pass necessary orders.
As directed, Arvind Kumar filed the affidavit stating that the lands in survey numbers 173, 178 to 214, 216 to 260 and 512 of Vattinagulapally village fell in non-catchment areas. He also submitted that this demarcation was made by the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) following a request from the United Andhra Pradesh government.
On behalf of the government, the additional advocate general explained the details of the lands in Vattinagulapally village. After hearing the contentions from both sides, the court reserved its orders.
