Telangana government clarifies against petition for secretariat’s demolition

High court extended the stay on demolition of secretriat building on receiving objection from advocates, prof PL Vishweshwar rao and Dr Cheruku Sudhakar claiming it to be an arbitrary action as it would pose threat by polluting 5 lakh people from getting fresh air.

The High Court directed the Center to clarify whether the demolition of the State Secretariat required the permission of the Union Ministry of Environment or not and held a hearing on 15th July, which later extended the hearing once again. HC indicated that the word ‘preparation of the land’ should have a precise meaning. It urged the Telangana government to respond with a counter petition to the Public interest Litigation (PIL), proclaiming that the demolition of the secretariat building violates the law.

As per the petition filed, The government’s act is against the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016, Epidemic disease act 1897, and the environment protection act 1986, among other laws.

The Telangana High Court asked the petitioner to submit an additional report on the demolition of the Secretariat. Meanwhile the government’s Advocate General told the court that there were several rulings that did not require the clearance of the Act for demolition and that they would be submitted to the court. The advocate clarified that permissions are a required only when new constructions are undertaken and ensured that all required clearances will be submitted before taking up new constructions.