The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to submit its response regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The petition challenges the government's decision to establish medical colleges and attached hospitals using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Court Questions Need for Fresh Petition
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Challa Gunaranjan heard the plea on Wednesday. The court pointedly asked the petitioner's counsel about the necessity of filing a new petition when similar issues were already under its consideration in earlier cases. The bench suggested that the YSRCP should instead seek to become a party in the existing petition rather than initiating separate litigation on the same cause of action.
YSRCP's Arguments and Legal Standoff
The PIL was filed by YSRCP general secretary Lella Appi Reddy. Arguing for the petitioner, senior counsel Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy contended that their plea was distinct. He emphasized that the challenge was based on the government's decision violating the legitimate public expectation of availing free treatment. Furthermore, he argued that the PPP model could lead to a steep increase in medical education fees, potentially placing it beyond the reach of students from economically weaker sections.
The bench, however, noted that the earlier petitions were filed on similar grounds by workers of the same party. It expressed concern that repeated filings on the same issue would defeat the petitioners' own purpose. "If petitions are filed like this, the court must give time to the state govt, which would only delay the process," the bench observed.
Adjournment and Future Proceedings
Despite the court's initial stance, it agreed to provide an opportunity for the petitioner's counsel to advance his arguments. Counsel Sudhakar Reddy then requested that the new matter be tagged along with the pending petition. The High Court has posted the case for further hearing after six weeks, allowing time for the state government to present its counter-affidavit.
This legal development puts a spotlight on the Andhra Pradesh government's policy of developing healthcare infrastructure through private partnerships, a move now facing significant political and judicial scrutiny.
