Work within law: HC

HC slams GHMC on illegal buildings

The ongoing supervision of multiple cases complaining of illegal constructions and illegal permissions came up yet again for consideration before the Telangana High Court. Irked by such patterned behaviour by the civic authorities, Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court had in one such case summoned V. Prashanthi, Jubilee Hills GHMC deputy commissioner, and traced the impugned action to a statutory power of discretion. The judge was not convinced that the power of discretion could be used contrary to the intent of the statute. He directed the authorities to take action in accordance with law or face the risk of paying exemplary costs. The judge also expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of local authorities in Jubilee Hills, stating that many establishments were operating without adherence to regulations and such an approach could encourage individuals to construct buildings without prior approval and then seek permission afterward.

HANDLOOMS COOP SOCIETY EMPLOYEE LRS GET BENEFITS

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court closed a writ plea filed by a retired employee of the TS Handlooms Coop Society after his lifetime and after the society made payments that were due to him. The bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Kumar Aradhe and Justice J. Anil Kumar, was dealing with a writ plea originally filed by V. Udayabhasker, later pursued by his heirs. The petitioner complained that the society had failed in granting notional promotion from 2008 till his superannuation on February 28, 2013 and the promotional benefits arrears. Earlier, the court had granted an interim order and an amount of `9,20,232 was directed to be paid to him. It was brought to the notice of the court that the petitioner had received the amount.

TRAINEE’S KIN GETS JUSTICE AFTER A DECADE

Justice M.G Priyadarsini of the Telangana High Court on Saturday dismissed an appeal filed by the AP Central Power Distr-ibution Company against the order of the deputy commissioner for labour, Nalgonda. The claim of the applicants was that the deceased, L. Srinu, had died while repairing a low-tension line on the instructions of junior linemen. The discom argued that it was not liable to pay compensation as Srinu was not an employee, on par with employees as stipulated under the Employees Compensation Act. The judge observed that though Srinu was undergoing apprenticeship and had not assumed regular employment, it did not disentitle him from claiming compensation under the Act.

ALLOTMENT OF MED PG SEAT CHALLENGED

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court issued notices in a writ plea alleging arbitrary seat allotment to a PG candidate in RVM Medical College, Medak. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Anil Kumar was dealing with a writ plea filed by Kathi Janardhan, who stated that he belonged to the reserved category and had secured 220 marks in the entrance test. But another student, N. Pramod Kumar, managed to get admission with 160 marks. The respondent said that based on his marks Janardhan had four options but he had applied for three. Counsel for the petitioner stated that one of the options was RVM Institute of Medical Sciences. The bench said that without hearing the other candidate no orders could be passed, directed issue of notice to Pramod Kumar and adjourned the matter by two weeks.