As an ‘interim relief,’ the High Court, in its orders on Thursday, has directed the State government to issue new pattadar passbooks and cash support under the first phase of Rythu Bandhu scheme for a group of aggrieved farmers.
According to High Court advocate Ch. Ravi Kumar, representing the farmers of Vemulaghat village, as many as 26 farmers led by Nayini Linga Reddy approached the court seeking new pattadar passbooks and Rythu Bandhu support stating that they are the rightful owners of the land and hence they are eligible for the scheme and that the government has been discriminating them against the principles of natural justice.
“Issue a writ order or direction declaring the action of authorities in depriving the petitioners and other similarly situated persons in Vemulaghat village of the benefits under Rythu Bandhu scheme in violation of guidelines in spite of the representations as illegal, unconstitutional, and violation of principles of natural justice and consequently direct the respondent authorities to initiate and continue the provision of investment support to the petitioners and other similarly situated persons having agriculture lands in Vemulaghat village of Toguta mandal,” the petitioners urged the court.
Respondents in the petition included the State government, Commissioner and Director of Agriculture Department, District Collector, Agriculture Officer, Mandal Agriculture Officer and tahsildar. In the Interlocutory Application (IA) prayer, the petitioners appealed the court “to direct the respondent authorities to take steps for the immediate issuing of new pattadar passbooks and provision of ₹4,000 per acre to the petitioners for their lands in Vemulaghat village of Thoguta mandal as per the guidelines pending disposal of this writ petition.’
According to Mr. Ravi Kumar, Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao issued the IA prayer while posting the case for hearing after two weeks, and in the meantime, counter if any be filed by the respondents.