Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Friday recorded its resentment against the state govt over repeated delays and extensions in clearing pending bills to agencies that supplied fish seedlings across the state.Justice K Sharath was hearing a contempt petition filed by the suppliers, alleging violation of an earlier high court order directing timely payment. The judge questioned the state over why payments were cleared to some suppliers while others continued to face delays. When the state counsel sought an additional four weeks to settle the remaining dues, the court expressed disappointment at the absence of a clear response to its query. Granting what it termed a final opportunity of two weeks, the court directed that if payments were not cleared by then special chief secretary, finance department, Sandeep Kumar Sultania must appear personally before the court on March 13. The matter was thereafter adjourned. The contempt petition was filed by RK Fish Traders and Seed Suppliers and others, who alleged significant delays in payment for fish seedlings supplied three years ago. Counsel for the petitioners, DL Pandu, submitted that of the 12 suppliers who had approached the court, payments were made to only two, with no clarity on when the remaining suppliers would receive their dues. He pointed out that in Feb 2025, the high court had directed the govt to clear the payments. As the order was not implemented, the suppliers were compelled to initiate contempt proceedings. After hearing the submissions, the judge questioned the government pleader on why payments were stopped for 10 petitioners after clearing dues to two suppliers. Finding the response unsatisfactory, the court expressed dissatisfaction and noted that sufficient time had already been granted to the state. It declined to allow the further four-week extension sought by the counsel.
