Telangana HC sets July 16 deadline for fire service rules; warns govt over delay
HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court warned the state govt that it would summon the chief secretary over its ‘lethargic approach’ in finalising new rules for recruitment, promotion and transfers in the Telangana fire services department .
While giving a ‘final opportunity’ to the govt to complete the process by July 16, a division bench of the high court said it would be constrained to summon the chief secretary if the rules were not framed by then.
“If by that time, the rules are framed, his (chief secretary) presence may not be required,” the bench said on June 16.
The bench noted that during the earlier hearing of the matter on April 21, 2025, the court was informed that a draft of the proposed rules was prepared and was under departmental approval. Taking this into account, the court granted the govt almost two months to complete the process.
However, during the hearing on June 16, when the state counsel sought one more adjournment of around four weeks, the bench remarked that the govt has not moved an inch forward. The counsel produced a correspondence made by the special chief secretary to the govt with a request for taking one more adjournment of about four weeks without there being any strong ground.
“Seeking such a request itself clearly indicates the lethargic approach at which the govt is functioning,” said the bench.
The petition was filed by three fire department employees challenging the AP Fire Services Subordinate Service Rules issued in 1992 and urged the rules be set aside to make way for the new service rules to be made under the Telangana Fire Services Act.
While giving a ‘final opportunity’ to the govt to complete the process by July 16, a division bench of the high court said it would be constrained to summon the chief secretary if the rules were not framed by then.
The bench noted that during the earlier hearing of the matter on April 21, 2025, the court was informed that a draft of the proposed rules was prepared and was under departmental approval. Taking this into account, the court granted the govt almost two months to complete the process.
However, during the hearing on June 16, when the state counsel sought one more adjournment of around four weeks, the bench remarked that the govt has not moved an inch forward. The counsel produced a correspondence made by the special chief secretary to the govt with a request for taking one more adjournment of about four weeks without there being any strong ground.
“Seeking such a request itself clearly indicates the lethargic approach at which the govt is functioning,” said the bench.
The petition was filed by three fire department employees challenging the AP Fire Services Subordinate Service Rules issued in 1992 and urged the rules be set aside to make way for the new service rules to be made under the Telangana Fire Services Act.
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