HC Hears Petition Against Hydraa Demolitions, Case Posted to Oct 14

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday held a hearing on the demolition of illegal structures by the State government-owned Hydraa in the State. Prajashanti Party chief KA Paul has filed a petition in the High Court seeking a stay on GO No. 99, which was issued by the State government to constitute Hydra.

Petitioner KA Paul argued that the demolitions by Hydra should be stopped immediately. The court, however, said the demolition could not be stopped immediately. As the party in-person, KA Paul argued that action of demolition should be initiated only after Hydraa was legalised. The petitioner sought notices 30 days in advance to house owners for the demolition of the illegal structures. The HC issued notices to Hydraa and the State government. The High Court directed them that a counter be filed in the issue. It later posted the matter for further hearing on October 14.

It may be mentioned that the Telangana government had set up Hydraa on July 19 this year through GO No. 99. After coming into existence, they demolished several illegal structures within the buffer zone and FTL of various tanks. Initially, there was a favourable atmosphere for the Hydraa among the people. But, soon protests from poor people started against it. Tension prevailed at several places as local people blocked the demolitions by the Hydraa. There were also allegations that the demolition was being carried out without giving any notice. Several people also approached the court seeking a stay on Hydraa and GO No. 99.

The State government had taken a crucial decision on Hydraa and clothed it high powers. The government had drafted a special ordinance to remove the hurdles faced by the Hydraa. The ordinance was sent to Governor Jishnu Dev Verma, who gave the green signal. The government promulgated an ordinance to add Section 374-B of the Municipalities Act.

Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration) Dana Kishore clarified several doubts raised by the Governor. Satisfied with the government's explanations, the Governor signed the Hydraa ordinance file. This was officially revealed by Raj Bhavan sources. The law has been enacted to give all powers to protect government properties, ponds and Nalas up to the purview of the ORR.