The Hindu : Front Page : Court orders check on prime lands’ allotment

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Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007
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Court orders check on prime lands’ allotment

Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: A Division Bench of the High Court on Tuesday took on record a writ petition challenging the State Government’s action in resorting to selective allotment of prime land around Hyderabad to private parties instead of public auction or calling for tenders.

The Bench declined to grant blanket stay of all further allotments, but made it clear that future allotments to private parties by the Government and its various agencies will be subject to final adjudication in the writ petition.

The writ petition was filed by Campaign for Housing and Tenurial Rights (CHATRI) represented by Jeevan Kumar, O.M. Debara, a well known environmental activist and N. Rami Reddy, practising advocate.

They alleged that besides the Government, A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) and Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and A.P. Housing Board (APHB) were giving away prime lands to select individuals and companies in the name of promoting Information Technology.

Gandra Mohan Rao, counsel for the petitioner complained that the State which is trustee of public property and resources is resorting to such “whimsical” allotments. He filed details of allotments made in recent times around Hyderabad.

The Bench felt that the contours of such allotment of public property with no definite policy needed detailed examination and asked the Government departments to file replies.

There would be no justification to call upon only a few of beneficiaries to respond to the writ petition.

But if the petitioners so desire all allottees could be made parties. Then notices could be issued and they could be heard.

Dealing with the prayer for cancellation of allotment made to those who have not developed the land given to them or who have not constructed as per the stipulated conditions, the Bench directed the Government to furnish a list of such institutions/ persons and adjourned the matter.

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