On the 26th of August, the Telangana High Court (HC) lashed out at the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Government during a hearing.
On Thursday, the Telangana HC reviewed a petition over delay in report related to the Government Order (GO) 111. The HC bench comprising of Chief Justice Ms. Hima Kohli and Justice Mr. V. Vijayasena Reddy questioned the negligent attitude of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) over the GO 111.
What is GO 111?
The GO 111 was issued in 1996 which prohibits erection of high rise structures in catchment areas of Osmansagar and Himayat Sagar. With this GO 111 in order, no industrial activities, high rise structures were allowed within 10 km radius of the Osmansagar and Himayat Sagar, so that the drinking water supply to Hyderabad city remains pollution free.
Why was HPC Formed?
In 2016, the Telangana Government formed a High Power Committee (HPC) headed by the Chief Secretary of Telangana, to study the GO 111 and submit a report regarding the same. The formation of the committee notice was issued under GO 839, after the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute submitted a study report declaring exemption of 87 parcels of land covering 948 acres in Vattinagulapally village, which does not fall into catchment areas and should be exempted from GO 111. To study the same the Government of Telangana formed the committee. However, the matter is still pending, following which the HC received several petitions.
Briefing about the Court hearing, the Telangana bench expressed displeasure over the attitude of the State Government and not submitting the report by the HPC since it’s formation. The Court also asked the HPC to refer to the report of the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) regarding the non catchment area matter in 2006.
The Court further said, if the Telangana HPC failed to submit the report by the given deadline, the committee would be dissolved. The Telangana CJ, Ms. Hima Kohli said, “The HPC gets disbanded if it fails to submit the report as per the timeline mentioned by this court.”
During the court proceedings, Mr. Ramachandra Rao, the Additional Advocate General, representing the State Government, explained that the delay was due to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. However, the explanation of the TRS Government seemed unsatisfying to the Court, following which they asked the HPC to submit its report by the 13th of September.
The HC also asked the Telangana Government to ensure the HPC submits the report and the Telangana Government takes a final call regarding the matter. The bench further asked the chairperson of the HPC to file an affidavit, stating the committee would abide by the given deadline and submit the report.
Meanwhile, after the HPC submitted the report, the Government of Telangana would study the same and would take a final decision regarding the GO 111 by the end of September. The Government should also upload the final decision/circular on the official website of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development.
With this, the Telangana High Court adjourned the matter to the 4th of October.
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