New Delhi: In yet another blow to the YS Jagan government in Andhra Pradesh, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the removal of colours resembling that of political parties from all government buildings within four weeks.
The apex court struck down the petition filed by the YS Jagan government challenging the High Court's order quashing the government order (GO 623) over the issue of colours to be painted on panchayat offices and government buildings.
The apex court said that the buildings were public property and hence it was not permitted to paint them with the colours of any political party.
Earlier on May 22, the High Court had cancelled GO 623 issued in April by the YS Jagan government, modifying its earlier order for painting government buildings.
The government had issued GO 623 in April after the High Court had directed it to immediately remove the ruling YSR Congress Party flag colours from all government buildings. In the new GO, additional colours were included with the existing ones.
However, the High Court took suo moto cognisance of the matter and cancelled the modified order. Subsequently, both Chief Secretary Nilam Sahni and Panchayat Raj commissioner Girija Sankar appeared before the court response to the contempt proceedings initiated against them for not complying with the order to remove the blue, green and white colours from the panchayat buildings.
After YSRCP came to power, several government offices, panchayat offices, anganwadis, school buildings, water tanks and other public buildings were painted with the ruling party's flag colours, giving rise to a political storm in the state.
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