The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) stated on Tuesday that it was unwilling to withdraw the legal notice issued on May 25 to Malkajgiri MP and Congress State President A Revanth Reddy.
The HMDA had demanded an unconditional apology from Revanth Reddy for allegedly making “false and defamatory statements about the Outer Ring Road (ORR) lease.”
In response to Reventh Reddy’s recent press release, the HMDA stated on Tuesday, “HMDA has strongly objected to the manner in which specific officers are being named by the Malkajgiri MP while casting aspersions and political motives on the officers’ or an institution’s functioning.”
“It is reiterated that HMDA operates under the supervision and direction of state governments. The officers and departments work under the overall superintendence and the directions of the Council of Ministers and the State government, while carrying out their duties as per the rules”, the HMDA said.
The ORR Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) bid process was conducted in the most transparent manner possible, in accordance with the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) TOT bid guidelines. The bid for 30 years is in accordance with the Council of Ministers’ decision. The NHAI finalized two bids for a 30-year period. HMDA said this is not the first time a TOT bid has been done for 30 years.
“All officers involved in the bid process performed their duties transparently, in accordance with orders, and within the frameworks of rules of conduct in the most neutral manner. The legal notice on May 25 was issued to Malkajgiri MP to withdraw all his allegations including some of which were meant to demoralize the officers who are merely carrying out their job judiciously and transparently,” HMDA said.
The HMDA clarified that a response to the Malkajgiri MP’s RTI query was submitted within the prescribed time frame and that there was no question of withholding any information regarding the ORR – TOT bid process.
The HMDA also stated that it will not be intimidated or browbeaten in the discharge of its official functions and will take all necessary steps to protect itself and its officers, including taking appropriate legal action.
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