HYDERABAD: The state government has informed the Hyderabad High Court that it has cancelled the Jyoti Rao Phule Dummugudem Nagarjunasagar Tail Pond project since the contractors concerned have failed to complete the works on time.
The Telangana government ordered for cancellation of the project vide GO 30 dated October 8, 2015.
Defending its decision, the state government filed a counter affidavit in a PIL filed by N Dolendra Prasad of Nellore district seeking to set aside the impugned GO. The petitioner contended that the project will be beneficial to both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states.
On earlier occasion, a division bench of the High Court headed by Acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale directed the Telangana government to file counter affidavit in the case.
Following the court direction, the government represented by the Dummugudem project chief engineer filed the counter explaining the reasons for cancellation of the project. While disputing with the petitioner’s contentions, the chief engineer submitted that the proceedings of the GO was not yet approved by the Centre. Prior to cancellation of the project, show- cause notices were issued to the concerned contractors and explanations received.
The chief engineer further submitted that the decision of the government is not against the AP Reorganization Act. In fact, the petitioner has no role to play in the matter. It appears that the petitioner has filed the PIL to benefit the contractors, he pointed out and urged the court to dismiss the case.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing on April 11.