Senior citizens, dumped, take to begging

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad, Oct 29: A division Bench comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta and Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar of the AP High Court on Monday admitted a public interest litigation by an NGO seeking a direction to the state government to implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.

The petitioner also sought a direction from the court to establish tribunals to deal with cases involving parents and senior citizens. Marripalem Helping Hands Seva Sangham, represented by its president K. Srinu of Visakhapatnam, filed the PIL submitting that Parliament had enacted the Act in 2007 and as per Section 7 of the Act the state government had to establish one or more tribunals for each sub-division to deal with cases of maintenance of parents, senior citizens and relatives by their children and grand children other than minors.

Mr Srinu pointed out that as per Section 19 of the Act, the state government had to establish one home in each district for the aged and at least 150 persons would be provided assistance in each home. While admitting the plea, the Bench directed the state government to spell out its stand on the PIL through a counter-affidavit within a week.

According to the petitioner, the state government had issued a notification on April 21, 2008 that the provision of the Act (Central Act No. 56 of 2007) would come into force.

On December 28, 2011 it had issued another notification framing the rules for implementation of the Act. However, till date the government has not established a single tribunal or old age home in the state, the petitioner complained.

He alleged that due to non-implementation of the Act, several old people were suffering and some had even taken to begging. The Act empowers the presiding officer of the Tribunal to award Rs 10,000 as maintenance to an aged person in case he or she approaches the tribunal seeking maintenance from their kith and kin.

As per the provisions of the Act, the district superintendent of police, and in the case of cities, the police commissioner, should take all necessary steps for the protection of life and property of senior citizens.

High Court faults authorities’ attitude

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad, Oct 25: Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy of the AP High Court on Thursday expressed deep displeasure with the Revenue authorities for interfering in the construction of a house on a piece of land allotted by the government to a woman as part of an incentive to encourage intercaste marriage.

The judge directed the revenue authorities not to interfere with the construction activity. Ms Chennelli Vasavi of Dharmaram village in Karimnagar district, moved the court stating that the tahsildar of the Dharmaram mandal has issued a notice to her not to proceed with the construction of the house. She said the authorities did not cite any reason for stopping the construction.

The petitioner told the court that she was allotted 181 square yards in 2008 as part of an incentive to her for her inter-caste marriage. She said the land was in her possession and in May this year she started construction of the house.

She added that the local revenue authorities have raised an objection and without citing any reasons, have issued directions not to proceed with the construction work.

The counsel for the revenue department said it was prohibited to allot land to others within two kilometers’ radius of the said area.

Reacting to the submissions, the judge found fault with the attitude of the authorities. The judge pointed out that the government has been allotting thousands of acres of land to private parties for establishment of industries by granting several exemptions and concessions, whereas it has become rigid about allowing poor persons to own a dwelling.

Citing the Vanpic land controversy, the judge told the authorities to concentrate more on recovering the lands allotted to several big sharks by violating the norms, instead of focusing on the poor.

Ex-mantri Mopidevi surrenders in court

Former excise minister Mopidevi Venkataramana, who had been granted interim bail by the court for medical treatment, surrendered before the CBI special court on Thursday. The court sent him to judicial remand till October 31.

He was sent to Chanchalguda prison. Meanwhile, he filed a bail petition with the court, and requested it to grant him bail. The court posted the matter for arguments on Friday.

HC nod for Jagan Mohan’s Hyderabad meet

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad, Oct 16: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday upheld the right of people to hold peaceful public meetings when it granted permission to the YSR Congress to hold a public meeting at Lal Bahadur Stadium here after imposing certain conditions.

Justice Nooty Ramamohana Rao was allowing a house motion by YSRC general secretary K. Sivakumar challenging an order passed by the city police denying permission for the meeting.

Jagan appears before CBI court in disproportionate assets case

The city police denied permission for the meeting because Telangana employees, students and political parties had given a call for obstructing the meeting of the YSRC, and because of the prevailing law and order situation on account of the agitation in the Seemandhra region.

The judge observed that the reasons cited by the police were irrational.

Cops told to give protection

Hyderabad: Observing that the reasons cited by the police for denying the YSR Congress permission to hold a public meeting in the city were irrational, Justice Nooty Ramamohana Rao of the AP High Court said, “Having difference of opinion and ideology by the political parties is a common phenomenon in a democracy. If the petitioner’s party holds the public meeting for a cause (united state), the party leaders who are struggling for a separate state will definitely oppose it, and refusing permission on such grounds would amount to curtailing the freedom of expression.”

The judge made it clear that no one can curtail the rights of those who propose to organise meetings peacefully, and it was for the government to safeguard their interests and give protection from the rivals.

The government must take necessary measures for the smooth conduct of the meeting and ensure law and order.

Justice Rao said a balance must be maintained between protecting the rights of the citizens and the interests of society. The police have got the power to take action against antisocial elements who indulge in violence, he added.

The judge directed the police to permit the petitioner’s party to hold the meeting at LB Stadium from 2 pm to 5 pm, after taking an assurance from the organisers that the meeting will not result in arson or damaging public and private properties.

The judge also directed that the organisers have to give a written undertaking to the police that no provocative speeches will be made at the meeting.