PIL seeking CBI probe admitted
Suspected irregularities in constable recruitments prompt plea
The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday admitted a PIL seeking a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment of constables in Telangana state.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter was dealing with a PIL by T. Veerabhadram of Nalgonda and two others.
Counsel for the petitioners submitted that a lot of irregularities took place in recruitment process and the State-Level Police Recruitment Board failed to implement the rule of reservation and also failed in providing grace marks to candidates licenced to drive a light motor vehicle.
When the bench said that it was admitting the petition, counsel for the petitioners sought an interim order. The bench said that the court has already admitted a PIL on the alleged irregularities and ordered that all appointments would be subject to the final orders of the court.
The bench made it clear that if allegations were proven during the hearing, the entire selection process would be cancelled.
Counter petition on land rates, state told
The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday admitted a petition questioning the decision of the TS government in deciding not to revise the market value of lands in the state.
A division bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter was dealing with a petition by Congress former MLA M. Kodanda Reddy.
Mr Reddy had submitted that the Land Acquisition Act specifies revision of the market value of the lands in the state before issuing acquisition notifications.
The state government earlier informed the High Court that it did not intend to revise the land value and has issued a memo in this regard.
TS advocate-general K. Ramakrishna Reddy said that though the state government has adopted AP Revision of Market Value Guidelines Rules, 1998, these rules were not mandatory but only directory.
He made it clear that the government need not follow these rules if it wishes to. While admitting the plea, the bench directed the authorities concerned to file counter affidavits within three weeks.
Tax exemptions to 2 films prompt notices
The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the governments of both AP and TS on a petition challenging the entertainment tax exemption for the films Gautamiputra Satakarni and Rudramadevi.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akhter was dealing with the plea by Cine Prekshakula Sangham, represented by its secretary M. Venugopal Rao, stating that as per Rule 34 of Entertainment Rules 1939 tax exemption was fixed at 50 per cent only, but both governments granted 100 per cent exemption to the two Telugu movies.
G.L. Narasimha Rao, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that though the governments granted tax exemption for the benefit of the viewers, cinema halls collected full amount on every ticket from viewers.
While expressing surprise at the tax exemption benefit not reaching the viewers, the bench questioned counsel why actor Balakrishna was made one of the respondents.