APHC010386702026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] WEDNESDAY, THE 12th DAY OF AUGUST 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 22718/2026 Between: 1. B VENKATESWARLU, S/O RAMAIAH AGED 40 YEARS OCC. UNEMPLOYEE R/O KDV PALLI, DEVARAYAPALLE BIT-11 NELLORE 2. B ROSAIAH, S/O VENKATA SUBBAIAH AGED 42 YEARS OCC. UNEMPLOYEE R/O KDV PALLI, DEVARAYAPALLE NELLORE 3. B NARASIMHULU, S/O PENCHALAIAH AGED 43 YEARS OCC. UNEMPLOEE R/O KDV PALLI, DEVARAYAPALLE NELLORE 4. M AMMANI, D/O VENKATASUBBAIAH AGED 50 YEARS OCC. UNEMPLOYEE R/O L R PALLI, ATMAKUR NELLORE ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY IRRIGATION AND COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDIAMARAVATHI GUNTUR DISTRICT 522237 2. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS 2 PRINCIPAL SECRETARY WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT VELAGAPUDI AMARAVATHI GUNTUR DISTRICT 522237 3. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, YSR KADAPA DISTRICT- 516001 4. THE CHIEF ENGINEER, NTR TELUGU GANGA PROJECT TIRUPATHI CHITTOOR DISTRICT-517502 5. THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, SOMASILA PROJECT CIRCLE DARGAMITTA SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT-524001 ...RESPONDENT(S): 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 toIssue an appropriate order, writ or direction, more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS, declaring the impugned action of the respondents in not considering/providing employment to the petitioners, despite their having satisfied all the eligibility conditions prescribed under G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (Project Wing) Department, dated 15.04.1986, and despite the petitioners being displaced persons of the Somasila Project and their names having been included in the list of eligible candidates prepared by the respondents as arbitrary, illegal, discriminatory and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to provide suitable employment to the petitioners under G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (Project Wing) Department, dated 15.04.1986, on the basis of their inclusion in the list of eligible candidates by considering their seniority and eligibility, with all consequential service and monetary benefits, within such time as may be stipulated by this Honble Court IA NO: 1 OF 2026 3 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 petitioners for appointment under G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (Project Wing) Department, dated 15.04.1986, to the extent of the petitioners claims and consider their cases for appointment strictly in accordance with law, pending disposal of the above writ petition in the interest of justice Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. PAMARTHY RATHNAKAR Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES II The Court made the following: 4 THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY W.P.No.22718 of 2026 O R D E R: 1. The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the inaction of the Respondents in not providing employment to the Petitioners in terms of G.O.Ms.No.98, Irrigation (PROJ. WING) Department, dated 15.04.1986, as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The lands of the parents of the Petitioners were acquired at K. Devarayapalli village, for the purpose of the Somasila Project in between the years 1979 to 1983. 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 Petitioners, being the dependents of the original landowners, applied for employment in terms of the said G.O. However, though their names were reflected in the shortlisted eligible persons, their cases were not considered for employment. Hence, this Writ Petition is filed. 3. Learned counsel for the Petitioners relies on the Judgment of this Court in W.P.No.40372 of 2018 and batch, 5 and W.P.No.3445 of 2020, wherein employment was directed to be offered to the dependents of the landowners therein, and seeks similar relief in the present case. Learned counsel further submits that the land acquisition took place in between the years 1979 to 1983 and, despite the lapse of more than 40 years, employment has still not been provided. 4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader submits that case of the Petitioners 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 force. 5. Considering the fact that the lands of the Petitioners were acquired way back in between the years 1979 to 1983, the delay in providing employment cannot be justified; more so, as the employment was to be treated as part of the promised compensation. 6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the Respondents to consider the case of the Petitioners for employment on par with similarly placed persons, as expeditiously as possible. There shall be no order as to costs. 6 As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. __________________ NYAPATHY VIJAY, J Date: 12.08.2026 chs 7 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY 93 WRIT PETITION NO:22718/2026 Dt. 12.08.2026 chs