Hyderabad, October 28: Keeping its promise to the advocates from Telangana, the State government today issued orders filling up the vacant posts of 68 standing counsels for various government departments on population basis from the three regions of the State.
Accordingly, 28 posts have been given to advocates from Telangana, 27 to those from Coastal Andhra and 13 to Rayalaseema lawyers.
Chief minister K Rosaiah today gave his consent for the list of standing counsels prepared by the Cabinet sub-committee comprising information and public relations minister J Geeta Reddy, law minister M Venkata Ramana Rao and forests minister P Ramachandra Reddy during a meeting held at Secretariat.
Sources said the distribution of posts was done on population basis giving 40 per cent posts each to Telangana and Coastal Andhra and 20 pc to Rayalseema.
The newly-appointed standing counsels will be in office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge or till termination of his/her services.
Advocates from T-region stalled the functioning of the AP High Court for a few days last month demanding 42 per cent reservation for them in the posts of government pleaders, assistant government pleaders and standing counsels. As the agitation took a violent turn, the high court imposed restrictions on movement of lawyers and their clients on the court premises.
The State government then gave an assurance to the agitators to ensure ‘equitable representation’ to the candidates of the region in appointment of law officers in the high court and tribunals.
–Agencies