Monday, June 9, 2025

Will Telangana Govt auction Community Halls ?

Y. Babji, Past President

Yes. It is going to happen as per media reports. Read this news.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2025/Jun/08/telangana-to-auction-rajiv-swagruha-and-housing-board-properties-to-raise-funds-for-development.

If the properties in question include SR Nagar Community Hall too, read my blog written here on 23rd July 2010 about a Writ filed in AP High Court that stalled the action of AP Housing Board to auction it. 

Writ Petition 19835 of 2002 disposed in 2008

WP No.19835 of 2002 between the petitioner Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar Welfare Association and the respondent AP Housing Board is disposed by an order dated 28th August 2008.

The writ was filed by the Association questioning the proposed action of the Housing Board in auctioning the Community Hall to private people on rental basis for a period of 5 years on the ground that "community hall was constructed for the benefit of the residents of SR Nagar as when the layout has been made, the Housing Board collected developmental charges for providing civic amenities like roads, play grounds, water, drainage, electricity etc and also to develop the said community hall to meet the needs of the colony people".

While disposing the writ, Hon'ble Justice V Eswaraiah, observed that "it is just and proper to settle the terms and conditions for making use of the said community hall even by the auction purchaser and for that reason, it is just and proper for the respondent Housing Board to give notice to the petitioner Association before issuing auction notification.  Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of keeping it open for the respondents to auction the community hall on rental basis.  However, the respondents are directed to issue notice to the petitioner before issuing auction notification and take its suggestion also into account". 

The Housing Board took 2 years to communicate the order of the High Court.  Now the EE, North Division of APHB vide his letter dtd 20-7-2010 asking for the suggestions of the Association.

Members of the Welfare Association are wondering why the present Executive Committee that was elected in Jan 2021 is not conducting AGMs, not rendering annual accounts, not maintaining registers and books that will have to be maintained by a Residential Welfare Association as per byelaws. Executive Committee meetings are not taking place and even if conducted, no communication of minutes thereof. An official whatsapp group created for a two way communication is kept closed for members and is in Admins Only mode since 2021. 

If this is the opaque nature of a 'body of individuals' in a democratic society, its functioning as per byelaws or otherwise, is left to the imagination of its own members as well as residents of the Colony, commented a senior member, vehemently.  

Time to Act for the Association to gather old records, minutes of meetings, have an emergency general body meeting, adopt a resolution and approach all the concerned officials and peoples representatives for a solution.