AP HC seeks state response on plea challenging PPP model for medical colleges
Andhra Pradesh: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has recently sought a response from the state govt on the plea challenging the establishment of medical colleges and associated hospitals under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Recently, the YSRCP filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Andhra Pradesh High Court challenging the development of medical colleges and their associated hospitals under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. On Wednesday, the court sought a response from the state government and also questioned the necessity of filing this petition again when similar petitions on the same issue had been filed previously.
Senior advocate Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy, arguing on behalf of the petitioner, stated that his petition was different from the one filed earlier. He said that he had challenged the government's decision because it went against the legitimate expectations of receiving free treatment and the possibility of an increase in medical education fees, which would make it unaffordable for poor students. However, Reddy requested that this case be tagged with the previously pending petition.
According to a TOI media news report, the bench observed that the previous petition was also filed in a similar manner and stated that it would give them an opportunity to present their arguments. The bench added that filing repeated petitions on the same issue would not serve the petitioners' purpose. Meanwhile, the bench remarked, "The previous petitions were also filed by YSRCP workers. If petitions are filed in this manner, the court will have to grant time to the state government, which will delay the process," and scheduled the next hearing for six weeks later.
The YSRCP filed a petition in the High Court through its General Secretary, Lella Appi Reddy, challenging the state government's decision. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Challa Gunaranjan advised the petitioner to join the previously filed petition on the same matter instead of filing a new one.
