HYDERABAD: Expressing displeasure at the status reports submitted by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments about the steps being taken by them for removal of unauthorised flexis, cutouts, and banners in public places, a division bench of the Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday granted another 15 days time to both the governments for implementation of the Court orders. The Court had on Dec 26 last year directed the two state governments to remove all such unauthorised installations from public places. It ruled that both the states must ensure that a GO issued in this regard on Feb 18, 2013 was not violated.
When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, both the governments submitted status reports before the division bench which was dealing with a petition filed by S Murali Krishna of Prakasam district in 2008 challenging digging of pits for installation of a statue on a platform by encroaching 15 ft on the road leading from the National Highway No 5 to the villages of Mukthinuthalapadu and Gudimillapadu in the district.
The advocate generals of Telangana and AP told the bench that the governments have taken necessary steps for removal of unauthorised installations from time to time.
Telangana AG K Ramakrishna Reddy said that the followers of political leaders, celebrities and VIPs were resorting to unauthorised installations and it has become a huge task for its removal.
After perusing the reports, the bench comprising chief justice Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta and justice PV Sanjay Kumar expressed displeasure saying that the reports were not proper. The report appears not genuine as it shows that there are zero unauthorised installations in places like Rajahmundry, it pointed out. The bench asked the AP advocate general P Venugopal to find out the facts in this regard and initiate steps for removal of unauthorised installations, if any, in Rajahmundry. At one stage, the bench warned that the Court will act on its own if the governments were unable to take action.
While adjourning the case for further hearing, the bench granted another 15 days time for the two governments to act on the issue.