HC finds fault with Central govt for delaying process

Hyderabad: A special two-judge bench looking into various issues relating to AP and Telangana states on Tuesday directed the Central government to expeditiously resolve the controversy relating to employment in public sector companies and their distribution in the states of AP and Telangana.

The bench comprising Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice A Sankara Narayana faulted the Central government for delaying the process. The bench also did not take lightly the stance of the respective state governments. Assistant Solicitor General B Narayana Reddy informed the court that the Central Government would entrust to the Sheela Bhide Committee the issue of dividing employees of public sector companies and common institutions between AP and Telangana.

The committee was earlier in charge of overseeing the division of assets and liabilities of such institutions and now this committee will also preside over the division of employees. The bench was hearing a batch of writ pleas of over 1200 employees belonging to various power distribution companies who were relieved from Telangana on the question of nativity but were not accommodated in AP power companies.

The Additional Solicitor General pointed out that while the Telangana government maintained that the government was under obligation to retain employees of AP origin for one year, Andhra Pradesh has been opposing the clause of nativity in respect of serving employees.

Narayana Reddy also told the court that the problem got aggravated with both the states changing their stands frequently. Giving ten days time to the centre, the bench directed not to waste even a minute from now and resolve the matter. The bench adjourned the matter to September 3 for reviewing the progress of the case.