-Galla S Kiran Kumar,Bureau Chief Telagana (Andhra Pradesh)
The High Court asked several questions to Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy, who appeared to explain the construction of village and ward secretariats, farmer assurance centers and health centers in school premises contrary to court orders.
Jawahar Reddy, Rajeev
Trivedi , Praveen Prakash, who attended the hearing of the CS
said that they will decide whether to demolish other structures in the school premises or decide whether to demolish the other structures in the school premises or use them for educational purposes.
Today, Amaravati: The High Court asked several questions to Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy, who appeared to explain the construction of village and ward secretariats, farmer assurance centers and health centers in school premises contrary to court orders. rectified the errors of the government. It ordered to file an affidavit stating what actions are being taken against these structures. After examining the affidavit.. Should those structures be demolished or not? Along with the decision, it has been clarified that they will be directed to recover the Rs.40 crores paid to them from the responsible officials. The High Court expressed its extreme impatience with the delay in the payment of dues to the employees, monopolists, magistrates and staff. Judge Justice Battu Devanand issued these orders on Thursday. In 2021, several lawsuits were filed claiming that despite the High Court’s order on June 11, 2020, that the constructions of other departments could not be allowed in school premises, the constructions continued. The judge who recently conducted an inquiry on these, expressed his anger at the contempt of the court’s orders. These are illegal constructions as they were constructed in defiance of court orders. Bill payments to them are also illegal. Earlier, CS was ordered to attend to give an explanation as it is a matter related to school education, municipal administration and panchayat raj departments. CS Jawahar Reddy, Panchayat Raj, Principal Secretaries of School Education Gopalakrishna Dwivedi and Praveen Prakash attended the court on Thursday. These are illegal constructions as they were constructed in defiance of court orders. Bill payments to them are also illegal. Earlier, CS was ordered to attend to give an explanation as it is a matter related to school education, municipal administration and panchayat raj departments. CS Jawahar Reddy, Panchayat Raj, Principal Secretaries of School Education Gopalakrishna Dwivedi and Praveen Prakash attended the court on Thursday. These are illegal constructions as they were constructed in defiance of court orders. Bill payments to them are also illegal. Earlier, CS was ordered to attend to give an explanation as it is a matter related to school education, municipal administration and panchayat raj departments. CS Jawahar Reddy, Panchayat Raj, Principal Secretaries of School Education Gopalakrishna Dwivedi and Praveen Prakash attended the court on Thursday.
Sorry for the delay: CS
CS replied to the court’s questions.. ‘The court has given the right order to protect the educational environment in schools. We have constructed secretariats and RBKs at 63 places on school premises. In 57 places those buildings are handed over to schools and are being used as classrooms and other purposes. If the court allows it, we will complete the incomplete buildings and use them for educational purposes,’ he said. The CS apologized saying that due to the involvement of three departments, there was a delay in the implementation of the court’s orders and that this would not be allowed to happen again. After considering these arguments, the judge asked several questions.
How are employment funds diverted?
How will secretariats and RBKs be built with the funds provided by the central government under the National Employment Guarantee Scheme? Not a single rupee can be diverted from those funds. The state government had earlier said during a litigation hearing that panchayat buildings and secretariat buildings are different and should not be seen together. Judge Gopalakrishna Dwivedi said, “Don’t argue in each case as you like”. He recalled that he had seen in the press that the Center had asked the state government to refund the money for misusing the employment funds. ‘Have you discussed with school development committees and parents’ committees before deciding on constructions in school premises? We have ordered in June 2020 not to take up any other construction there because it is inconvenient for the students. They are illegal constructions as they were built in violation of those orders. Officials say they were removed after Sumoto filed a contempt of court case at that time. But, the reality is doubtful. It is said that constructions are still in various stages at 239 places. Let’s talk about them. What about the Rs 40 crore paid? “We want to collect money from the pockets of the lower level officials, starting with the responsible CS level officer,” the judge clarified. ‘I don’t know where you studied but celebrities like Abdul Kalam, Venkaiah Naidu and Narendra Modi studied in government schools. Why does the government care so much about public schools where poor children study?’ asked the CS. ‘Have you ever seen in the history of AP teachers hitting the road for salaries? Isn’t this an unfortunate situation? I have never seen begging for salaries. Teachers are not paid, but will they pay the bills of Rs. 40 crores for illegal constructions?’ He asked. Jawahar Reddy responded.. ‘My father is a teacher. In my childhood, there was an occasion when I worried for three months’ salary,’ he replied.
What happened to the last CS guarantee?
Former CS Sameer Sharma told the High Court on March 8 that they will ensure that there is no delay in the payment of bills to the contractors. Thousands of lawsuits are still coming due to non-compliance. A monopolist who repaired a hostel in Nellore district approached the court after not paying Rs.5 lakh. Are you unable to pay Rs.5 lakhs? Doesn’t this create conditions for contractors to file lawsuits? It is understandable that the bills were not given to those who did the works before 2019. Will the works done in 2020, 2021 (under the current government) be paid? A monopolist from Kurnool district who built the Secretariat committed suicide after receiving bills. There are still people like this’, the judge reminded.
Notice will come soon.. wait and see
“Bills are not being paid on time to the staff and magistrates of the lower courts. DA dues, PF loan, medical reimbursement and retirement benefits have not been paid for two years. It is employees’ money, the government cannot deny it. I received a letter from Anantapur District Judge on this issue. Wait for the day when the state government receives the notice in the sumoto case. This is a serious matter. We are dissatisfied with the government. Focus on solving the problems,’ he said while addressing the CS.
Keep other magazines available too
‘Recently I visited a hostel in Srikakulam district. 150 female students are housed in three cramped rooms. There are only two toilets. Officials said the construction of additional rooms was stopped due to a shortfall of Rs 15 lakh. Only one copy of ‘Sakshi’ magazine was made available to 150 students. Why not the other magazines? Also keep two or three copies available. This is my personal appeal,” said Justice Devanand.
