Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday issued contempt notices to top IAS officers for failing to implement its December 2023 directive on pending payments to fish seed suppliers.
Despite a final opportunity granted earlier in a contempt petition, the officers failed to comply with the court’s orders or file a counter, drawing sharp rebuke from Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar.
The court directed the Special Chief Secretary for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Sabyasachi Ghosh, Finance Secretary Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Fisheries Commissioner Priyanka Ala, Deputy Director T. Srinivas, and the district collectors of Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, and Mulugu to appear in person on July 30 and explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated.
Fish seed producers, including Srimatsya Fisheries Farms, had moved the court, alleging non-payment for seed supplied during the 2023–24 period. In December, the High Court ordered payments to all eligible suppliers based on the Vigilance Commission’s report.
Petitioners later filed around 11 contempt cases, accusing the departments of ignoring court instructions. On July 2, the court gave a final chance to comply and submit an implementation report by July 16.
However, during the fresh hearing on Wednesday, petitioner’s counsel D.L. Pandu and others informed the court that no payments had been made and no compliance report was submitted.
Justice Shravan Kumar expressed displeasure over the continued non-compliance and instructed the High Court registry to issue contempt notices to the named officials.
