NTC: Delay not be sole ground for throwing out PIL, says SC

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court, in its 188 page judgement delivered yesterday which paved the way for the sale of five sick textiles mills in Mumbai owned by the National Textile Corporation (NTC), has observed while condoning the delay in approaching the court," We do not intend to lay down a law that delay or laches alone should be the sole ground for throwing out a public interest litigation irrespective of the merit of the matter or the stage thereof." Encouraged by the apex court judgment the NTC has already announced the sale of another 18 textile mills under its control in Navi Mumbai and hopes to fetch another Rs 5000 crores which shall help the corporation to clear the dues of its employees under the VRS scheme and also to meet its other liabilities.

Most of the textile mills had to be closed down due to prolonged strike by the mill workers. Closure of cotton mills had affected 2 lakh workers and because of the strike the mills defaulted in making payment of wages, provident fund and gratuity.

The apex court has also taken note of the fact that cheques given to workers have been realised and these factors are being pointed out to show that this litigation was treated to be platform for even championing the cause of workers, although neither the high court nor this court is concerned therewith. The court has also held that amendment was not in contrary to the principles governing the environmental aspects including the principles of sustainable and planned development .

A bench comprising Mr. Justice S.B. Sinha and Mr. Justice P.P.

Naolekar had allowed the appeals yesterday against the Bombay high court order quashing the sale of five sick textile mills in Mumbai.

The total land involved is around 600 acres.

UNI AKS/XC RP HS1758