Supreme Court Orders Telangana Government to File Affidavit on Land Allotment Status
The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Telangana government, requiring it to file a detailed affidavit within four weeks concerning the current status of 155 acres of land allocated to the AP Secretariat Employees Mutually Aided Cooperative Housing Society. This land is situated in Jawahar Nagar and Neknampur areas of Hyderabad.
Bench Hearing and Petitioner's Arguments
A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan delivered this order on April 7 while adjudicating a public interest litigation that challenges the allotment of prime government land to the employees' society at nominal rates. The petitioner argued that the market value of this land amounts to thousands of crores of rupees, highlighting a significant disparity in valuation.
During the proceedings, the petitioner's counsel contended that valuable natural resources were allocated arbitrarily, lacking a transparent policy framework. It was submitted that land estimated at approximately Rs 10 crore per acre in 2010 was allotted for a mere Rs 3 lakh per acre. Reference was made to recent Supreme Court rulings that have invalidated similar allotments to IAS and IPS officers as well as high court judges, underscoring the legal precedent against such practices.
Housing Society's Defense and State's Response
Counsel representing the housing society maintained that the allotment dates back to 2002, with market values documented in subsequent government orders in 2003 and 2010. The society also asserted that it has incurred substantial expenses, including Rs 3 crore towards development and Rs 9 crore on infrastructure, justifying its claim to the land.
In response, the state government informed the court that the current status of the land remains unclear and committed to undertaking a comprehensive survey to ascertain the details. The bench recorded these submissions before issuing its directions, emphasizing the need for clarity and accountability in the matter.
Court's Directives and Implications
The Supreme Court bench has mandated the Telangana government to disclose the present market value of the land and the number of residents occupying it. This move aims to ensure transparency and address concerns over the alleged undervaluation and arbitrary allocation of public resources.
This case highlights ongoing judicial scrutiny of land allotments in Telangana, reflecting broader issues of governance and resource management. The outcome could set a precedent for similar disputes involving government land and cooperative societies across the state.
