Telangana High Court asks govt to file affidavit on Covid initiatives

Hyderabad: A two judge panel of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavali on Friday directed the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Srinivas Rao to file an affidavit minutely detailing information pertaining to Covid kits being distributed to adults and children, hospital beds availability, paediatric […]

Hyderabad: A two judge panel of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavali on Friday directed the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Srinivas Rao to file an affidavit minutely detailing information pertaining to Covid kits being distributed to adults and children, hospital beds availability, paediatric specific facilities, and so on by Wednesday. Senior counsel L Ravichander pointed out to the decision of the government in opening schools and suggested physical appearance should be optional.

Pointing out to the under reported data, he appealed for transparency in data and raised concerns on availability of only one hospital for children in entire state. “If you are closing the colleges, what is the point in opening the schools?”, the panel questioned. In reply the state government informed the panel that no such decision was given officially till now though it was there in the media.

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The counsels brought to the notice of court as to how public places including vegetable markets were violating social distancing norms. While counsel Prabhakar Chikkudu pointed out to the Samakka Sarakka Festival and raised concerns about the arrangements for around one crore people who would participate from five states on the banks of river Godavari, another counsel raised concerns about the undistinguished and insufficient infrastructure facilities for children in state. The State sought three days time to submit detailed report on the issues raised and the case stood adjourned to February 02.

Petitons closed

The same panel closed two petitions filled by the Dalmia Cements and its MD Puneet Dalmia challenging the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). It may be recalled that during the rule of the then Chief Minister YS Rajashekar Reddy it was alleged that Dalmia received 400 acres of limestone mines in Kadapa. Allegations were that the profits were invested in his son Jaganmohan Reddy’s firm and that huge amounts were transferred through hawala route. The present appeal was filed challenging the dismissal of their plea to stay summons.

After dismissal the petitioners have appeared before the ED and gave their statements. Observing the same, the panel held that there was nothing left to adjudicate in the case as the petitioners have already appeared before the ED. Naveen Kumar, counsel for the petitioner sought a chance to represent the case through a senior advocate as the charge sheet was still pending. The panel denied possibility of further hearing and closed the case.

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