APHC010125092025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3506] TUESDAY ,THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN WRIT PETITION NO: 6331/2025 Between: Gandrotu Sridevi ...PETITIONER AND The State of Andhra Pradesh and Others ...RESPONDENT(S) Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. PEDDIBHOTLA VENKATA SAI RAJESH Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES I The Court made the following: ORDER: The present writ petition is filed seeking the following relief: “to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly, one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS, declaring the action of the Respondent authorities in not allowing Petitioner to perform her duties as V.O.A. (Animator) in Village Organization-5, Vadapalem village, Kothapeta Mandal, Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District, Andhra Pradesh, without issuing any proceedings or any order of suspension or termination, which is highly illegal, unjust, arbitrary and contrary to law and violative of principles of natural justice and contrary to Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently, direct the respondents to allow the petitioner to discharge her duties as V.O.A. (Animator) in Village Organization-5, Vadapalem village, Kothapeta Mandal, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District, and to pass….” 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-I. 2 CGR, J. W.P.No.6331 of 2025 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner was appointed as V.O.A. (Animator) Village Organisation-5, Vadapalem, Kothapeta-5th respondent-Society in the year 2020 vide resolution, dated 25.06.2020, and since then has been discharging her duties. The General Body Meeting of 5th respondent Society by resolution, dated 03.09.2023 again appointed the petitioner and continued her services. As on today she continues to discharge her duties. Inspite of the same, the respondent authorities are not allowing her to perform her duties as V.O.A. (Animator) of 5th respondent Society and forcing to resign, aggrieved by which, she filed present writ petition. 4. On instructions, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-I submits that the respondents are not interfering with activities of petitioner as V.O.A. (Animator). 5. A perusal of the circular would manifest that to alleviate poverty and for women empowerment, 27,841 societies were formed in terms of the provisions of A.P. Mutually Aided Co- operative Societies Act, 1995; that those societies are autonomous bodies; that selection, removal and duties of VOA etc., are within the purview of the members of the Society; that the duties and 3 CGR, J. W.P.No.6331 of 2025 responsibilities of the Staff of the Village Organization are described in Section 25 of the Act; that the staff members of the Village Organization are answerable and accountable to the Village Organization and their appointment, removal and performance of duties, are as per the bye-laws, rules and regulations framed by the Executive Committee of the Village Organization. 6. The said circular further prescribes that the staff of the CBO/Project should work for development and to achieve financial stability of the Village Organization and they should cooperate and facilitate for the development of the Village Organization and shall not influence or interfere with the decisions of the society. (emphasis supplied) 7. The circular further prescribes that the staff members of the Village Organization should not indulge in the decision making process and that the appointments, removal, duties and responsibilities of Sangamitrha/VOA/ Animator, are to be done by the Village Organization. As per the note in the circular, dated 29.08.2019, it was clarified that no other circulars be issued at the district level. Circular dated 29.08.2019, will be in force till another circular is issued. 4 CGR, J. W.P.No.6331 of 2025 8. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services would submit that circular dated 29.08.2019 is in force as on today. 9. Thus, the aforementioned circular issued by the Principal Secretary commands no interference of the officials with the decision making process of the society except to facilitate. The instructions submitted by learned Assistant Government pleader would manifest that the officials are not interfering. 10. Given the facts and circumstances of the case coupled with the aforementioned circular issued by Principal Secretary, SERP, this writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage, with the consent of learned counsel on either side, directing the respondent Nos.4 and 5 not to interfere with the petitioner’s discharging duties as Village Organisation Assistant (Animator) of Vadapalem Vilalge Organisation-5, Vadapalem, Kothapata, Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District. No order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions pending consideration, if any, in this case shall stand closed. _____________________________ JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN Date:18.03.2025. cs