Disposed¶43

Arigela Sai Srinivas v. the State of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh HC9 Jul 2026WP/11159/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Displaced quota employment; G.O.Ms.No.98 Irrigation (Proj.Wing) Department dated 15.04.1986; consequential Memo No.480-I-AR(2) 87/2 dated 24.08.1987; Somasila Reservoir; Telugu Ganga Project; land acquisition 1984-85; employment as part of promised compensation; dependent of displaced landowner; shortlisted but not considered; Articles 14, 16, 21 and 226; YSR Kadapa; SPSR Nellore; High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati; Justice Nyapathy Vijay; writ disposed with direction to consider employment on par with similarly placed persons.

What did the court decide?

Writ petition disposed of directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's case for employment on par with similarly placed persons as expeditiously as possible; no order as to costs; pending applications closed. ¶43

Arigela Sai Srinivas Vs the State of Andhra… — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, a dependent of a landowner whose land was acquired for the Somasila Reservoir, is entitled to consideration for employment under the displaced quota as per G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (Proj.Wing) Department, dated 15-04-1986, and the consequential Memo dated 24-08-1987. +1 more

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Court's answer

The respondents are directed to consider the petitioner's case for employment on par with similarly placed persons, as expeditiously as possible; no order as to costs, and pending applications stand closed.

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Ratio / Principle

Given that the petitioner's grandmother's land was acquired way back in 1984-85, the delay in providing employment cannot be justified, especially since the employment was to be treated as part of the promised compensation.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Andhra Pradesh High Court (Amaravati), single bench (Nyapathy Vijay, J.), disposed of a writ petition under Article 226 filed by a dependent of a landowner whose ancestral property (Ac.0.50 cents in Sy.No.3472 of Chenduvai Village, Atloor Mandal, YSR District, standing in the name of his grandmother Arigala Ademma) was acquired during 1984-85 for the Somasila Reservoir under the Telugu Ganga Project. The petitioner sought employment under the displaced quota under G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (Proj.Wing) Department, dated 15.04.1986, and the consequential Memo No.480-I-AR(2) 87/2-, dated 24.08.1987; though shortlisted among eligible persons, he was not offered employment. Holding that the delay of over four decades in providing employment could not be justified since employment was to be treated as part of the promised compensation, the Court directed the respondents to consider the petitioner's case for employment on par with similarly placed persons as expeditiously as possible. No order as to costs; pending applications (including IA No.1 of 2026 under Section 151 CPC) closed.

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Date of reserved for orders : -- Date of pronouncement : 10.07.2026 Date of uploading : 10.07.2026

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APHC010216352026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3460]

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(Special Original Jurisdiction)

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FRIDAY, THE 10^th DAY OF JULY 2026

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY

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WRIT PETITION NO: 11159/2026

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Between:

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ARIGELA SAI SRINIVAS, , S/O. A. RAMANAIAH, AGED 33 YEARS, R/O. 7-17, GANDIA VEEDHI, SIDDAVATAM (M), YSR KADAPA DISTRICT - 516 237.

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...PETITIONER

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AND

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THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, A.P. SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI - 522503.

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THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR/CHAIRMAN, DISTRICT SELECTION COMMITTEE, YSR KADAPA DISTRICT - 516001.

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THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, NTR TELUGU GANGA PROJECT CIRCLE, KADAPA, YSR DISTRICT - 516001.

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THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, SOMASILA PROJECT, DARGAMITTA, SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT - 524003.

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...RESPONDENT(S):

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Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High

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Court may be pleased to issue any writ or order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not considering the petitioners claim for employment under displaced quota as per the guidelines issued under G.O.Ms. No.98, Irrigation (Proj.Wing) Department, dt 15-04-1986 and consequential Memo No.480-I-AR(2) 87/2-, dt.24-08-1987 as illegal, discriminatory and arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 16 and 21 of Constitution of INDIA and consequently direct the respondents to consider the claim of the petitioner for employment under displaced quota as per the guidelines issued under G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (Proj.Wing) Department, dt.15-04-1986 and consequential Memo No.480-I-AR(2) 87/2-, dt.24-08-1987 in the interest of justice and pass such other orders.

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IA NO: 1 OF 2026

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Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the respondents to consider the case of the petitioner for employment under displacement quota as per the guidelines issued under G.O.Ms No.98 Irrigation (PROJ.Wing) Department, dt:15-04-1986 and consequential Memo No.480-I-AR(2) 87/2-, dt:24-08-1987, pending the Writ Petition, and pass such other orders.

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Counsel for the Petitioner:

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1.DHARANI KUMAR B

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Counsel for the Respondent(S):

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1.GP FOR SERVICES II

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The Court made the following:

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Whether the order is :

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Speaking Yes/ Reasoned No Reportable No/Non-Reportable Yes

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THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY

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WRIT PETITION No.11159 of 2026

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ORDER:

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The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the inaction of Respondent-authorities in providing employment to the Petitioner in terms of G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (PROJ. WING) Department, dated 15.04.1986 and to declare the same as illegal and arbitrary.

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The ancestral property in an extent of Ac.0.50 cents in Sy.No.3472 of Chenduvai Village, Atloor Mandal, YSR District standing in the name of Petitioner’s grandmother Arigala Ademma, which was acquired for the purpose of Somasila Reservoir under Telugu Ganga Project during 1984-85. As per G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (PROJ. WING) Department, dated 15.04.1986, employment was to be offered to the members of the displaced families or their dependents. The Petitioner, being the dependent of the land owner, applied for employment in terms of the said G.O. However, though his name was reflected in the shortlisted eligible persons, his case was not considered for employment. Hence, the present Writ Petition is filed.

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Learned counsel for the Petitioner relies on the Orders of this Court in W.P.No.40372 of 2018 and batch, dated 07.07.2022 and W.P.No.3445 of 2020, dated 13.02.2020, wherein employment was directed to be offered to the dependents of the landowners therein, and

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seeks similar relief in the present case. Learned counsel further submits that the land acquisition took place in the year 1984-85 and despite the

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lapse of more than 42 years, employment has still not been provided.

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Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-II appearing for the Respondents submits that the case of Petitioner will be considered and necessary action will be initiated for providing employment in terms of G.O.Ms.No.98, dated 15.04.1986, as per the Rules in vogue.

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Considering the fact that the land of the Petitioner’s grandmother

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was acquired way back in the year 1984-85, the delay in providing employment cannot be justified; more so, as the employment was to be treated as part of the promised compensation.

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Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the Respondents to consider the case of the Petitioner for employment on par with similarly placed persons, as expeditiously as possible.

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