Date of reserved for orders : Date of pronouncement : Date of uploading : APHC010337282026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] TUESDAY, THE 7th DAY OF JULY 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 18140/2026 Between: 1. G.POTHURAJU, S/O. G.NARASIMHA RAO, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, OCC ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, WORKING IN THE O/O. ENGINEER-IN- CHIEF PANCHAYAT RAJ, VIJAYAWADA, KRISHNA DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP.BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, PANCHAYAT RAJ DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI. -522237 2. THE ENGINEERINCHIEF, PANCHAYAT RAJ DEPARTMENT, VIJAYAWADA, KRISHNA DISTRICT.520001 ...RESPONDENT(S): 2 Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased toMay be pleased to issue a writ order or direction more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents particularly action of the 2nd respondent in not granting/releasing Special Grade increments i.e., 16 years, 18 years, 24 years and 30 years under Automatic Advancement Scheme (AAS), even though the Departmental enquiry issued in Memo.No.Vig.il (2)32647/08 Dt.20.11.2008 was set aside by the Honble High court in WP.No. 19496/2025 dated 01.08.2025 as illegal, arbitrary and against Article 14, 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the Respondents to sanction Special Grade increments i.e. 16 years, 18 years, 24 years and 30 years under Automatic Advancement Scheme (AAS) along with admissible interest and to pass such IA NO: 1 OF 2026 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 Pleased to direct the 2nd respondent to sanction and release Special Grade increments i.e., 16 years, 18 years, 24 years and 30 years under Automatic Advancement Scheme (AAS) by considering the representation dated: 14.11.2025 and to pass such Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. HARINATH REDDY SOMAGUTTA Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES I The Court made the following: 3 HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY W.P.No.18140 of 2026 O R DE R: The present writ petition is filed in not granting/releasing Special Grade increments i.e. 16 years, 18 years, 24 years and 30 years under Automatic Advancement Scheme (AAS) even after departmental enquiry initiated against the Petitioner is set aside as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The Petitioner was appointed as Assistant Deputy Engineer on 31.08.1991 in Panchayat Raj Department and was granted 8 years Special Grade increment in the year 2002 under the old scheme. While so, Petitioner was implicated in a departmental enquiry initiated under Rule 20 of the A.P.Civil Services Rules, 1991 on account of certain allegations. However, the departmental enquiry was pending even in the year 2025. 3. At that stage, Petitioner filed W.P.No.19496 of 2025 and this Court taking note of the inordinate delay in concluding the departmental enquiry, allowed the writ petition and quashed the charge memo dated 20.11.2008. 4 3. In view of the departmental enquiry being quashed, the Petitioner submitted representation for grant of the benefit under the AAS. As the same is not being considered, present writ petition is filed. 4. Learned Government Pleader submits that the representation of the Petitioner will be considered and appropriate orders will be passed. 5. In view thereof, the writ petition is disposed of directing the Respondents to consider the representation of the Petitioner for sanction of AAS scheme at relevant intervals and pass appropriate orders within a period of two (2) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, the miscellaneous petitions if any shall stand dismissed. ___________________ NYAPATHY VIJAY, J Date: 07.07.2026 KLP Whether the order is: Speaking Reasoned Reportable Non-reportable 5