T LINGAIAH Vs. GOVERNMENT OF AP

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN this batch of writ petitions, petitioners are residents of six villages in Medak District, which are surrounding Siddipeta Municipality. Petitioners challenge the legality and validity of the Government Order in G.O.Ms. No. 13 Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (Pts. IV) Department, dated 21.01.2012 and G.O.Ms. No. 28 Municipality Administration and Urban Development (Elec. I) Department, dated 21.01.2012 (In W.P. No. 2558 of 2012, only G.O.Ms. No. 28 Municipality Administration and Urban Development (Elect. 1) Department, dated 21.01.2012 is challenged). By the aforesaid orders, the Government notified six villages surrounding Siddipet Municipality to merge into Siddipet Municipality. The villages notified are 1) Rangadhampally 2) Imamabad, 3) Narsapur, 4) Gadcherlapally, 5) Prashanthnagar and 6) Hanumannagar. The facts in brief which are necessary for consideration of the issue involved in these writ petitions are as under:

(2.) THE Commissioner, Siddipet Municipality issued Notice dated 03.08.2011 stating that six villages mentioned in the notice are proposed to be included in Siddipet Municipality and called for views/objections/suggestions. This notice is based on the decision stated to have been taken by the Government to merge the six Grampanchayats in Siddipet Municipality. Petitioners submitted objections in response to the said notice. Several other persons have also submitted objections. Petitioners averred that without considering the objections filed by the petitioners, impugned orders are passed merging the villages of the petitioners into Siddipet Municipality.

(3.) HEARD Sri M. Rama Rao, learned counsel for the petitioners in all the writ petitions and learned Government Pleader for the Municipal Administration and learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj Department.