In a blow to the family of Bathini Harinath Goud, which administers the ‘fish prasadam’ every year to thousands of asthmatics, the Lokayukta on Wednesday ruled that the State government should not provide any special amenities to the family during the two-day programme from next year onwards, and also ruled that the state fisheries department should not provide the fish as well, and that the family should procure it themselves this year.
Justice B Subhashan Reddy, the Lokayukta, however, allowed arrangements like drinking water, electricity etc to be provided by the government only for this year (June 8 and 9) as there are just two days remaining for the ‘prasadam’ to be administered, and stated that time won’t be sufficient for the family to make arrangements themselves.
Reddy, in his report, also mentioned that the Bathini family should be treated on a par with other private organisations or associations to whom permission to hold meetings is granted.
Deeming the ‘fish prasadam’ nothing more than belief or faith of the people, Subhashan Reddy censured the government for providing the family amenities from the public exchequer.
“The government should not encourage superstition. Neither is there any law made by any legislative body nor is there a subordinate legislation and the government, on its own and without any legal sanction, cannot sponsor any event like the instant one,” Reddy stated in his order after the hearing.
He observed that it was understandable as to why the state government took it upon itself to sponsor the event, involving various departments, and spending a lot of money in the end. “As there is no legal sanctity or duty cast upon the government to do such things, the government of Andhra Pradesh is hereby directed not to enter into the picture for either sponsoring or conducting the meetings for administering the fish prasadam,” the order said.
Reddy also directed the Bathini family to file an application, addressed to the commissioner of police, Hyderabad, seeking permission for the event on the same terms and conditions which are imposed on private individuals and associations to hold meetings.
“The family is like any other private organisation. They can conduct meetings but they should make their own arrangements,” Reddy said, speaking to reporters here in his office on Wednesday.
After inspecting all the documents and reports after seeking them from all the departments involved, Reddy allowed the HMWSSB, GHMC, family welfare department, police, roads and buildings department, and fire services to provide amenities like drinking water, security, sanitation, emergency services, and medical care to avoid pubic inconvenience.
“The ground has also been sanctioned by the government at a cost of Rs 2.69 lakh and the amount has to be collected by the Hyderabad district collector. At least, a written undertaking should be taken stating that if they fail to pay within 30 days, then action can be taken against them under the AP Revenue Act,” Reddy ruled.
Family Has to Bear the Cost
Justice Subhashan Reddy also ruled that the organisers should set up 32 counters to administer the ‘fish prasadam’ with at least three persons manning each counter. There should be two special counters for the physically disabled and VIPs. The programme should be held from 8 am to 8 pm on the two days i.e June 8 and 9, and that the fish should be procured by the Bathini family. The cost of all the aforementioned has to be borne by the family.