Telangana govt admits inability to immediately clear pending bills of ₹40,000 crore | Hyderabad News

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.Tokens are issued by respective departments after bills are cleared for payments.Sandeep Kumar Sultania, principal secretary (finance), made the submission on Wednesday before Justice NV Shravan Kumar, who was dealing with a batch of contempt petitions related to the delay in payment of compensation for lands acquired by the state govt in Narayanpet district.“Paying compensation for lands acquired is the top priority. But, even if we desire, I am not in a position to pay. That is my inability,” Sultania told the court.Appearing virtually, Sultania sought six months’ time from the court, assuring it that the govt would clear land acquisition matters on priority.Granting a final opportunity, the judge gave govt 12 weeks to clear payments amounting to around ₹51.35 crore in the present matters. “See that you keep your promise,” the judge told Sultania, while adjourning the matters for further hearing.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.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.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.”The judge pointed to inordinate delays and non-compliance with court orders even after time-bound assurances were given to the court. “We are not telling you how to pay, but are worried about the citizens’ rights and increasing pendency in courts due to such matters,” the judge observed.Granting 12 weeks’ time, the judge also called for a comprehensive additional affidavit in a week detailing compensation paid towards lands acquired by govt for various purposes, and the time required to clear the payments in such matters.