Telangana HC hears Talasani’s petition over protocol breach

The Telangana High Court single bench of Justice Surepalli Nanda on Friday heard a lunch-motion petition filed by Sanathnagar MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi legislator is seeking a directive to ensure officials strictly follow protocol during State-run meetings. He approached the court after officials excluded him from a coordination meeting held on July 8. The meeting was called to oversee arrangements for the upcoming Sri Yellamma-Pochamma Devasthanam Kalyanotsavam in Balkampet, scheduled from July 20 to July 22. The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Endowments alongside the Minister for Transport and BC Welfare.

Yadav’s counsel informed Justice Nanda that officials deliberately excluded the MLA. The petitioner argued that the exclusion violates protocol guidelines issued under GO 520, dated July 1, 2013. The guidelines mandate invitation of local legislators and other dignitaries to functions organised by the government and local bodies.

The petitioner alleged officials sidelined him because he belongs to the opposition party. He requested the court to direct the Chief Secretary to investigate the matter and enforce strict adherence to protocol instructions. After hearing arguments from the counsel and the Government Pleader (endowments), Justice Nanda adjourned the case for a week to allow the State to obtain instructions. The court observed that officials must strictly follow the 2013 protocol guidelines for inviting legislators to official events, provided those guidelines remain in force.