Telangana HC issues notices over delay in Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa Scheme implementation

Taking note of the submissions, the bench issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, calling upon them to respond to the allegations.

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the State Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department T.K. Sreedevi in a contempt petition, seeking their explanation for failing to act upon a court direction regarding the implementation of the Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa Scheme in municipal areas.

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The contempt proceedings arose out of an earlier public interest litigation, wherein the petitioner sought extension of the Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa Scheme intended to benefit landless agricultural labourers in rural areas to similarly placed individuals residing in small towns and municipal jurisdictions.

The scheme was introduced through G.O. No. 18 dated January 10, 2024. In its previous order, the High Court had directed the petitioner to submit a representation to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration.

It had further directed the authorities to take a decision within four weeks of receiving the representation and communicate the same to the petitioner. The Court had made it clear that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the scheme or its applicability to urban areas.

However, alleging non-compliance with the court’s directive, the petitioner returned to the High Court with a contempt petition, asserting that a representation had been duly submitted. However, no decision was forthcoming from the authorities.

Advocate Chikkudu Prabhakar, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the inaction of the officials constituted a violation of the court’s explicit direction.

Taking note of the submissions, the bench issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, calling upon them to respond to the allegations. The matter was adjourned to July 29 for further hearing.