Comply with Central directives on Omicron: Telangana HC to govt

Hyderabad: A two judge panel of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice N Tukaramji on Thursday directed the State Government to strictly comply with the latest directives issued by the Union government to prevent the spread of Omicron variant on December 21. The panel, on the pleas made by […]

Hyderabad: A two judge panel of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice N Tukaramji on Thursday directed the State Government to strictly comply with the latest directives issued by the Union government to prevent the spread of Omicron variant on December 21.

The panel, on the pleas made by Senior Counsel L Ravichander, specifically required the government to issue directives on the control and management of large public gatherings during the ensuing festival season from Christmas to Sankranthi.

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The Chief Justice voiced concern at how people are still not using masks and taking minimum preventive steps. When senior counsel pointed out the need for a mechanism at the State borders, the panel directed the government to consider setting up similar facilities as set up at the airport and quarantine if necessary. The panel stated that there was a need to prevent inter-State spread of the new variant.

Notice to MoE, PCB
The Panel issued notice to the Ministry of Environment and the Telangana State Pollution Control Board in view of alleged violation of the plastic waste management and handling rules. In a PIL filed by Bolisetty Omkar, seeking direction from the court for directing the Ministry of Environment and the Telangana State Pollution Control Board. The counsel for the petitioner contended that there has been a non-compliance and non-implementation of Plastic Waste Management and Handling Rules issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Science and Technology. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.

HC directive to State
The two-judge panel apprehended that the legal battle between the State government and the citizens pertaining to the Kaleshwaram project has been long standing. In a batch of writ pleas filed before the court, the petitioners contended that they are not against the irrigation project but pending this case, the authorities demolished their houses. The panel observed that the market value shall be revised every 7 years but it was revised in July itself and the same was admitted by the government. The petitioners further contended that even the top political executive in a meeting stated that no person shall be displaced without an alternate solution. If the need arises, extra land will be allocated. The panel directed the Government and the parties involved to formulate the legal issues involved which ought to be specifically clarified. The matter has been adjourned to January 24 for further hearing.

Police recruitment

The Panel directed the State Government to formulate three separate recruitment rules to be framed with respect to special police, armed reserve police and State reserve police. The panel observed that there cannot be any retrospective effect with respect to any issue pertaining to these recruitments. It was further directed that all divisions must be in compliance with Police Subordinate Rules. In a writ plea filed by M Sukhdev and 10 others seeking for a direction from the Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police in specifying that civil police appointed are entitled to count their seniority based on weightage formula and not from the date of first appointment. In view of the fact that there are no specific policies formulated with respect to each category of officials, the panel has affirmed that the policy grants security.

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