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.