High Court seeks report from state govt and ONGC on refinery

Jodhpur, Jan 17 (UNI) Amidst allegations of breach of promise by the ONGC and mishandling by the state government in the raging controversy over the setting up of a refinery in Rajasthan for the processing of crude from the fields, the Rajasthan High court has issued notice the state government and the ONGC to file their replies by February 5.

The court also put a ban on any decision regarding the setting up of refinery outside the state till the matter was decided.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the reports published in newspapers regarding ONGC backing out from its earlier commitment to set up a refinery in the state as a matter of public interest a bench comprising Justice Rajesh Walia and Chattararam on Tuesday directed the ONGC and state government to present the facts before the court.

The court directed the state's principal secretary (finance) to make personal appearance and explain the facts.

The court also issued notice to the Union petroleum secretary and ONGC Chairman to explain the circumstances that prompted the ONGC to back out from its earlier decision now.

UNI