Hyderabad, The Telangana High Court has issued an order to the state government questioning why officials were appointed as Persons-in-Charge for Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACS) across the state. The government has been issued a notice in relation to a contempt petition, which alleges that Persons-in-Charge were appointed contrary to previous orders.
The government had issued Government Order No. 597 on December 19 to appoint officials as Persons-in-Charge for PACS. Several petitions challenging this were filed, stating that Persons-in-Charge cannot be appointed after their term has ended and that only elected individuals should be appointed as Persons-in-Charge. On these petitions, the High Court had earlier issued interim orders to maintain the status quo.
Hearing on Government Order on February 9
The petitioners have filed a contempt of court petition, claiming that the government’s issuance of Government Order No. 597 to appoint Persons-in-Charge, despite court orders, constitutes contempt of court. Justice P. Madhavi Devi of the High Court recently heard the petition filed by B. Pandu, Chairman of Rudraram Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society (PACS), which challenged Government Order No. 597.
Notices were issued to the respondents, the Commissioners of the Agriculture Cooperation Department, and others. The petitioner’s counsel argued that the government issued the Government Order contrary to the High Court’s earlier status quo orders, which is contempt of court. They urged the court to direct the government to continue with the old governing body until PACS elections are held. They also urged the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the officers who issued the Government Order while this dispute is sub judice. The High Court issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the next hearing of the case to February 9.
Telangana High Court
The Telangana High Court, located in Hyderabad, is the highest judicial authority for the Indian state of Telangana. It was established as an independent high court on January 1, 2019, following the bifurcation of the combined Andhra Pradesh High Court as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The court operates from its historic premises, known as the “Judicial Complex” at Nayapul, a building with significant architectural and legal heritage in the region.
Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies
Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACS) are grassroots financial cooperatives in India, primarily formed by farmers to provide affordable credit and banking services in rural areas. Their history dates back to the early 1900s, with significant expansion encouraged by the Indian government post-independence to support agricultural development and reduce dependence on moneylenders. Today, they form the base of India’s cooperative banking structure, directly serving local farming communities.
Rudraram Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society
The Rudraram Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society is a local financial cooperative in Telangana, India, established to provide credit and banking services to the farming community. Its history is rooted in the broader cooperative movement in India, which gained momentum in the early 20th century to empower rural economies and reduce dependence on moneylenders. It represents a community-owned institution focused on agricultural development and financial inclusion in its region.
Government Order No. 597
“Government Order No. 597” refers to a historic decree issued in 1945 by the Allied administration in post-war Korea, which established the **National Museum of Korea**. This order was crucial for preserving Korean cultural heritage by formally creating the institution, which has since become the country’s flagship museum, housing national treasures and artifacts.
Agriculture Cooperation Department
The Agriculture Cooperation Department is not a specific historical or cultural site, but a governmental or institutional body. Such departments are typically established by national governments to oversee and promote agricultural cooperatives, which are farmer-owned organizations aimed at improving collective bargaining, resource sharing, and market access. Their history generally stems from 19th and 20th-century movements to support rural economies and ensure food security through organized cooperation among farmers.
