Brakel issue: HC pulls up state govt

Shimla, June 03 The state government today came under fire from the Himachal Pradesh High Court when the court questioned it for not presenting a clear stand in case of allotment of the Jhangi-Thopan-Powari Hydel project in Kinnaur and getting a Vigilance inquiry conducted even as the case was pending in the court. The project has been allotted to Brakel Hydro Power Company.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla and Justice Rajeev Sharma today observed that the government should take a final decision about its stand in this case. The court directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit in four weeks and ordered to list the case for further hearing on July 9
Giving its observations in the case, where Reliance Energy and Brakel are pursuing a legal battle over allotment of the hydro power project, the court said on one hand the government has opposed the petition of Reliance Energy by filing an affidavit on May 27 and on the other hand, the government is conducting inquiries through Vigilance and income tax authorities.
The court questioned this move of the government and also observed that there must be consistency in the decision-making process of government. It said that when the government communicated its decision in its letter on April 22 this year and also acted upon the same by accepting Rs 174 crore along with interest of Rs 20 crore from Brakel, then why was the Vigilance inquiry ordered into the case “when the matter was pending in the court”.
The court made strong observations about the office of the Advocate General and said he must assist the court independently.
Express News Service
Posted online: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 at 09:14:47Updated: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 at 09:14:47
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