HC proposes escrow account to deposit Kokapet land auction money

According to Telangana High Court, GO 111 will be examined by the State High Power Committee on September 13th. Until the High Power Committee (HPC) report on GO 111 is submitted, the Telangana High Court said, the State government should not spend any of the 700 crores raised through the auction of land in Kokapet. 

Three days ago, a bench of Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy heard a batch of petitions on issues surrounding GO 111. The court ruled that the state government should set up an escrow account and deposit money from the Kokapet lands auction into it after hearing several cases relating to Government GO 111, which prohibited constructions on the catchment area of Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar lakes. The bench directed the State government to study and decide on the HPC report by September 30. Municipal Administration and Urban Development's website should immediately post the HPC report. The court also inquired about the government's efforts to construct infrastructures such as a wastewater treatment plant, sewage lines, and drinking water on the grounds in Kokapet.  

The Chief Justice commented, "This court would ensure that the government kept its hands off the money obtained through the auction of Kokapet lands until they establish that they have created all of the works specified." The bench took issue with the HPC's failure to present its findings on GO 111 four years after it was established. While conceding that HPC's report was delayed, Additional Advocate General J. Ramchander Rao promised the court that the current State administration will expedite the matter. He predicted that all GO 111related processes would be completed within a month. 

It was decided by the Court that there would be no additional time. The HPC did not submit a report despite the committee being formed four years ago, this is even more curious", the CJ remarked. In response to the bench's question about the government's plan to revoke GO 111 the day before, the AAG indicated that a Telugu news daily published a report based on a remark made by the Chief Minister during a protracted press conference many years ago. He said the government was looking into the effects of GO 111 and was waiting for the HPC report. To be heard on Thursday, the matter has been rescheduled.