Mallanna Sagar: High Court Quashes Telangana GO 123

In a major setback to the Telangana government, the Hyderabad High Court today quashed GOs 123 and 124 issued by the government which provide for quick acquisition of lands from land-owners for the proposed Mallanna Sagar reservoir in the Medak district, following a petition by farmers of the region.

The bone of contention is that the GOs will allow the State government to directly purchase lands from the villagers for the reservoir project instead of following due procedure.

Citing loopholes in the GO, some 20 villagers from Zaheerabad in the Medak district and Rudrangi in the Karimnagar district had filed a petition in the High Court against it for hampering their livelihoods, and also sought the implementation of the Land Acquisition Act 2013.

The court questioned the government on the necessity to implement the GO when a more feasible Act was already in place, and ruled in favour of the petitioners as it concluded that the GO would compensate the land owners alone but would do little to help landless labourers.

The HC also ordered strict implementation of the Land Acquisition Act Of 2013.

The court's order will put the government on the back foot due to the repercussions it will have on other irrigation projects.

Reacting to the judgement, Telangana JAC Chairman M Kodandaram said that he had already anticipated the move.

"The State government will face stiff opposition from the people if it tries to acquire their lands forcibly. The farmers feel that the GOs are unfair towards them. The government should consider their concerns before doing anything else," Kodandaram said.

Telangana Congress chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy welcomed the High Court's order and slammed the State government for its "anti-farmer" policies.

"The High Court's verdict should open the Chief Minister's eyes. His government tried to suppress dissent, which was an unconstitutional move. The government should respect the nation's democratic framework more," he urged.