HYDERABAD: A Division Bench of the High Court on Tuesday directed suspension of all proceedings pursuant to G.O.Ms.No.522 which facilitated allotment of prime land to journalists, High Court judges, All India Service Officers and other select groups.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice was dealing with a writ petition filed by Trade Union activist Bose and environmentalists Rao Chelikani and Debara. The petitioners brought to the notice of the court the fact that the Government sought to give away house plot irrespective of whether the applicant was already having a house or house site in his name.

The petitioners said that hundreds of acres of land belonging to poor farmers were being acquired to be given to private companies.

They petitioner further said that the Government maintained there was no land for allotment of house sites for the poorer sections around urban areas. They feared select groups could be granted prime land in the IT corridor of Ranga Reddy district.

A lengthy affidavit of 25 pages and details of land acquired, allotted etc., was submitted to the court.

"Amused'

The Bench was "amused" by the clause in the order that the judges have to make an application to the committee which included Registrar of the High Court and Advocate General.

Disapproving the tone and tenor of G.O.Ms.No.522 issued on May 4, 2006, the Bench made it clear that all proceedings pertaining to implementation of the order shall come to a halt and posted the matter for hearing after four weeks.

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