HC directs Telangana government to release Covid bulletin

The panel stated that it was essential to publish medical information concerning Covid and its testing to increase awareness among the people about the virus.

Hyderabad: A two-judge panel, comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B Vijaysen Reddy, directed the State government to reintroduce the publication of information concerning Covid cases on the government website. The Chief Justice observed that there has been a spike in Covid cases in recent times in neighbouring States and directed the State government to submit a report on the steps taken to prevent a possible second wave. The panel stated that it was essential to publish medical information concerning Covid and its testing to increase awareness among the people about the virus. It refused to entertain a plea to vaccinate school staff in light of the recent decision of the government to restart physical classes. It reasoned that it was a policy decision. The panel posted the case to March 18.

Plea to save forest land dismissed

The same panel dismissed a petition filed for saving forest land in Vikarabad. Damagundam Forest Protection JAC Save Damagundam, an NGO, had filed the petition. The petitioner alleged that 150 acres of reserved forest land in Vikarabad had been allotted to State prison authorities. The counsel appearing for the forest department stated that no such permission has been issued for any alleged activity. The same panel had previously vacated a stay against a project by the Eastern Naval Command in the Vikarabad forest area. It dismissed the petition for being premature as no such permission is currently granted by any authority.

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Panel reserves order on junior colleges

The panel reserved its order in a petition filed by various junior colleges challenging the order of the government to shut educational institutions that do not comply with safety guidelines. The Chief Justice pointed out that under no circumstance safety of the children can be jeopardised. The fact that in the past such institutions were permitted to establish and run institutions cannot be a reason to expose young lives to the dangers. Justice B Vijaysen Reddy remarked that these educational institutions do not fulfil any safety guideline and have been established purely for commercial purposes, and the state of their infrastructure is testament to the same. Forty colleges had previously been shut for non-compliance with the minimum requirements of safety guidelines through a decision by the State government.

Construction on temple premises stayed

The panel stayed further construction within the Hanuman temple at Banjara Hills on Road No 1. Maruti Rajaram had filed a PIL challenging the erection of structures within the temple. It is alleged that there were illegal structures of the nature of toilets and washrooms being constructed within the temple premises. The panel directed the government to file its counter within four weeks and posted the matter to April 15.

Demolition at OGH

The panel granted time to the Advocate General to submit the site plan and other details of Osmania General Hospital. It was is dealing with multiple petitions for construction of a new hospital and non-demolition of the heritage structure at the present location. It directed the state authorities to file site plans and maps of the said premises. Justice B Vijaysen Reddy stated that the same is a state-protected heritage site and an earlier division bench judgment observed the need to protect the structure from any alteration that would affect its heritage. The panel directed the government to file the documents within two weeks and posted the matter to April 22.