Telangana High Court: Fishermen's Society's Objections Must Be Considered Before Area Split

The court recently made a decision on a case involving the Primary Fisheries Industrial Cooperative Society Limited. The society was upset about a notice that suggested dividing up their fishing areas. Judge T. Madhavi Devi was in charge of making this decision.

The Notice That Started It All

The problem began when the District Fisheries Officer, Nerella Mondaiah, sent a notice on May 12, 2025. The notice asked the society to think about separating Gopayyapalli village from their fishing area. This was even though the society had asked them not to do so in a decision they made on May 20, 2025. They felt the split was unfair and would hurt their members' way of making a living.

"Without considering the decision, Nerella Mondaiah is trying to go ahead with the split..."

The Backstory: A Long-Standing Society

The society has been around for about 40 years, helping its members earn a living through fishing. They work in several ponds, but only Peddacheruvu has enough water all year. This makes it very important for their work. A previous court case had already talked about how important it is to keep Peddacheruvu available for the society.

The Court's Initial Stand

When the issue first came to court, Judge Madhavi Devi asked for a report on whether the split was possible. The report came back saying that the society could manage without Gopayyapalli, as there were other water sources they could use.

"The report stated that...there will be no effect on the survival of the Primary Fisheries Industrial Cooperative Society Limited, Palitham..."

The Law and the Arguments

The government, represented by the State of Telangana, argued that they were following the rules, specifically parts of the Telangana Cooperative Societies Act, which allow for such changes if they help the community. However, the society felt the process wasn't fair, as their objections weren't taken into account.

What the Court Decided

Judge Madhavi Devi decided that the process wasn't done correctly. She canceled the notice and told the authorities to properly consider the society's objections before making any decisions.

"The Registrar is now required to ask for objections from the petitioner society and consider its objections..."

What's Next?

The court's decision means the authorities have to go back and follow the rules, giving the society a fair chance to present their case. The society is hopeful that this will lead to a decision that won't harm their members' livelihoods.