HC hears plea by farmers seeking re-location of Batasingaram fruit market to Koheda in accordance with GO

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court single bench of Justice Surepalli Nanda on Thursday heard a writ by Nakka Ramesh, a farmer from Chintalkunta, LB Nagar, RR district, along with four others, challenging the continued inaction of the agricultural market committee (AMC), Gaddiannaram, in failing to act on a representation, dated August 7, 2025. The petitioners sought a judicial declaration that such inaction is illegal.

The petition specifically prays for a direction to the government respondents to forthwith implement GO 11, dated February 13, 2020, which mandates the shifting of the fruit market from Batasingaram, Abdullapurmet mandal to Koheda. The petitioners submit that farmers at Batasingaram continue to face significant hardships owing to the prolonged delay in implementing the GO.

Counsel for the petitioners, Y Ratna Prabha, apprised the court that the case has a protracted litigation history, with the association of concerned parties having previously filed a writ that resulted in an order dated March 30, 2022, directing the respondents to consider their representation and dispose it off. She submitted that despite the passage of over three years no concrete action has been taken.

Special counsel Swaroop placed on record a tabular chronology of steps taken by the government in furtherance of the proposed re-location. He submitted that the government has not abandoned its commitment to shifting the market to Koheda; the delay has principally arisen on account of complexities involving adjacent lands held by the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation.

Swaroop informed that the case is before the Cabinet for active consideration; a formal decision is imminent. He drew the court’s attention to sanctioning of administrative and financial proposals, including one submitted through the director of agricultural marketing for a loan of Rs. 1,128 crore from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the Koheda Global Green Market under Gaddiannaram AMC.

He referred to the correspondence from the engineer-in-Chief (R & B) endorsing the administrative sanction and letters addressed to government seeking approval for revised cost estimates from Rs. 336 crore to Rs. 399 crore.

Swaroop said when the government had previously attempted to temporarily shift the market to Koheda by making interim arrangements in interest of farmers, a separate group of parties filed a writ and obtained a stay restraining the re-location. The government had filed a counter in the case and continues to pursue all steps. He requested the court to grant four weeks to enable the Cabinet to arrive at a concrete decision. Upon conclusion of arguments, the case was adjourned to June 8.

Executive committee of Telangana HC Advocates’ Association assumes office

The newly-elected executive committee of the Telangana High Court Advocates’ Association (THCAA) formally assumed office on Thursday morning, marking a new chapter in the administration of one of the State’s foremost Bar bodies.

The occasion drew a significant gathering of senior and junior advocates, as well as well-wishers, who assembled to congratulate and support to the office-bearers. The formal transfer of charge to the new committee took place at 9.30 a.m.

The new committee is headed by president S Surender Reddy and comprises secretaries P Shravan Kumar Goud and K Niranjan Reddy, senior executive committee member Naguluri Krishna Kumar Goud, joint secretary Krishna Keerthana, treasurer Balaji and sports and cultural secretary Vishnuvardhan. The senior EC members are: Konda Reddy and Rukmini, while Shilpa, Bhargavi, Aravind, Pool Singh and Ravi serve as EC members.

Secretary N Reddy assumed charge in a traditional manner, though he occupied his designated seat at 11.45 am, departing from the general schedule observed by the remainder of the committee.

Addressing the members, Surender Reddy pledged to dedicate himself to the welfare of advocates and to work to strengthening relations between the Bar and the Bench. He reaffirmed commitment to upholding interests of the legal fraternity and to fostering constructive engagement within the institution.

The new committee was warmly felicitated by members of the association, who presented bouquets, garlands and shawls.