Hyderabad: The govt informed the Telangana high court that it had issued tokens for payments of over ₹40,000 crore payable to different categories, including owners of lands acquired for govt projects, but was not in a position to release the amounts immediately.
Granting a final opportunity, the judge gave govt 12 weeks to clear payments amounting to around ₹51.35 crore in the present matters.
That is my inability,” Sultania told the court. “See that you keep your promise,” the judge told Sultania, while adjourning the matters for further hearing. Observing that officers adopted a casual approach in contempt matters, the judge said courts cannot afford to do so in such cases, particularly while dealing with matters involving payment of compensation to land losers.
“Paying compensation for lands acquired is the top priority. But, even if we desire, I am not in a position to pay. Appearing virtually, Sultania sought six months’ time from the court, assuring it that the govt would clear land acquisition matters on priority.
Earlier in the day, the judge expressed strong dissatisfaction over Sultania’s absence from the court and also over a petition filed seeking exemption from personal appearance without valid reasons.
The judge further noted that citizens were being forced to approach the court because of the “careless attitude” of officials towards them and their grievances. “You (officials) display the same attitude even in courts,” the judge said. Later in the evening, Sultania appeared before the court and explained the govt’s “hardship in clearing payments to different categories.”