Basetti Ashok And 3 Others v. The State Of Telangana And 5 Others

HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE P. KESHAVA RAO WRIT PETITION No.850 of 2020 ORDER:

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Standing counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent - Corporation and the learned Government Pleader appearing for the 4th respondent.

The prayer sought in the writ petition is as under: "... to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of Mandamus declaring the inaction on the part of the respondents 2 to 5 in taking steps on representation dated 08.11.2019 submitted by the petitioners for merger of the Ameenpur Municipality into GHMC as illegal, arbitrary, unjust and violative of principles of natural justice besides being violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents authorities 2 to 5 to consider the representation dated 08.11.2019." Learned Government Pleader informs the Court that for consideration of merger of Gram Panchayat into a municipal corporation, the power is vested with the Government.

From a perusal of the material papers, particularly, representation dated 08.11.2019 submitted by the petitioners reveals that the 1st respondent Government recently merged several Gram Panchayats and municipalities in Ranga Reddy and other Districts into Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and that the Ameenpur Municipality is situated adjoining to the existing limits of GHMC and within the confines of Outer Ring Road. The Ameenpur has a larger urban area and it has got all the characteristics suitable for merger into GHMC.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the representation submitted by the petitioners to the Government is not being considered.

Having heard both the counsel, this Court is of the opinion that consideration of representation dated 08.11.2019 submitted by the petitioners would meet the ends of justice.

Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of, directing respondent Nos.1 to 3 to consider the representation dated 08.11.2019 submitted by the petitioners and pass appropriate orders as per law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that, if needed, the petitioners are permitted to give a fresh representation giving all details to the 1st respondent for consideration. No order as to costs.

Miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall also stand disposed of.

_____________________ P. KESHAVA RAO, J Date: 03.02.2020.

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