Individual notification not required, Telangana HC rules

Hyderabad: Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court held that individual notices were not required in land acquisition proceedings under Section 21(2) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR- law ) if a public notice has been issued. The judge was hearing a plea filed by Puli Rajesham and eleven others, alleging that they were not personally informed about the acquisition of their land for the Ramagundam open cast II project of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The petitioners alleged that they came to know about the proceedings through a public notice displayed at the Collector’s office. They argued that the authorities had failed to follow due process by not issuing individual notices despite Supreme Court precedents and rulings under the law. It was alleged that this omission affected their compensation and entitlement to agricultural subsidies, including Rythu Bandhu and Prime Minister Kisan benefits. The petitioners expressed concern over the inaction of their representations and pointed out a possible loss of agricultural benefits from the state and central government as a result of the takeover. The judge, after hearing the arguments, ruled that issuing a public notice was sufficient and that individual notices were not necessary as the petitioners did not live outside the locality. Recognizing that petitioners admitted to knowing about the acquisition through a public notice, the judge found that there was no violation of due process. The judge, however, directed the respondents to consider the petitioners’ views and address the objections raised as they were filed within the stipulated time.

Sangareddy tender process for bio-waste for HC

The Telangana High Court has heard a plea against the extension of tender for bio-waste collection for a cumulative period of three years in Sangareddy municipality. Justice K. Lakshman was dealing with a plea filed by Qureshi Butchers Mutton and Chicken Mutually Aided Thrift and Credit Society Ltd of Sangareddy. The petitioner has challenged the extension of tender for bio-waste collection in Sangareddy Municipality in favor of Gopi Transport without issuing any public notice. It was the case of the petitioner that, according to the procedure, a notice should be issued inviting interested parties to participate in tender procedures for the collection of bio-waste from shops selling chicken, mutton and fish in the municipality, but without following this procedure . the tender previously awarded to Gopi Transport was extended for a total period of three years. The petitioner submitted that such extension of the tender period without issuing a notice inviting interested parties was a violation of the provisions of the TS Municipalities Act 2019 and the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. The petitioner sought quashing of the work order issued in favor from the unofficial respondent last December. After hearing the parties, Justice K. Lakshman directed the respondent authorities to file their defense and post the matter for further trial.

Extend bar permit: HC

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court directed the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise and other authorities to renew the bar license and supply liquor stock to Sri Kanakadurga restaurant and bar in Sangareddy. This order came in response to a plea filed by the managing partner of the outlet, challenging the actions of the respondent authorities in not renewing their license despite having received the first installment of the license fee. The petitioner alleged that the respondents had sealed the cafe premises and not considered the renewal application despite filing several representations and receiving license fees worth Rs 20 lakh. The petitioner alleged that the respondents did not supply liquor stock and informed the judge that no show cause notice had been issued nor had any investigation been conducted. The government advocate pointed out that the unofficial respondent, who is also a dormant partner of the company, had filed an objection to renewal of the license and the application did not bear his signature. After hearing the parties and going through the record, the judge noted that the unofficial defendant was merely a sleeping partner under the partnership deed. The managing partner had the right to sign the extension application and the rejection was therefore unlawful. The Judge noted that the petitioner had prima facie filed a case for grant of interim relief and accordingly directed the respondent authorities to renew the bar license and supply liquor stock to the petitioner. The judge also ordered notice to be served on the unofficial defendant and posted the case for further adjudication.

Church complains about inaction of district collectors

Justice Surepalli Nanda of the Telangana High Court has filed a plea against the inaction of the district collectors of Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Khammam districts and others in not hearing the complaints of members of a Church of South India (CSI). The judge was hearing a plea filed by Cherukupalli Srikanth and another alleging that certain meetings of the CSI Diocese of Dornakal Council were planned for this month by Rt Rev Dr. K. Padma Rao, Bishop of Dornakal Diocese of CSI and IHRP Mohan Rao, Secretary, Diocese of Dornakal, CSI. Petitioners alleged that meeting notices were issued by the unofficial respondents without any jurisdiction and without obtaining any valid consent. In that regard, the petitioners relied on the interim judgments of the Supreme Court adopted in September suspending the decision-making power, whether with regard to the holding of elections or the governance of CSI and the CSI Trust Association, of the Madras High Court appointed administrators. in April to the CSI Administrative Committee, which governs about 24 dioceses. Taking into account the submissions of the petitioners, the judge directed the collectors of various districts to take action against the conduct of the 39th Triennial Meeting of the Diocesan Council of the CSI Diocese of Dornakal Council. The judge also ordered notices to the unofficial respondents and posted the matter for further adjudication.