PILs against national projects hinder development

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court opposing the entertainment of PILs against national projects by the courts on the ground that they create hindrances in the way of national development.

The petition, filed by the International Bench and Bar Association, prayed to the apex court to lay down appropriate judicial guidelines in matters of PILs involving national or state projects exceeding the cost of Rs 100 crore.

Counsel for the association Ravi Prakash Gupta prayed to the court to transfer all such PILs pending in different High Courts to the Supreme Court.

According to the petitioner, such PILs created roadblocks in the development of the nation and the states. The cost of these projects also escalated astronomically and the tax fare of the country had to bear the brunt of such litigation initiated by vested interest and unnecessarily highlighted by media.

Such litigations were also responsible for huge drain of public money causing heavy losses to national exchequer. It sometimes created unnecessary political controversy depriving the people of the benefits of these projects.

The petitioner cited the instances of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), Tehri Dam Project, Taj Corridor, Akshardham temple and police memorial, etc.

He also contended the involvement of some foreign forces opposed to the country's development, in prompting and encouraging such litigation could not be ruled out.

The Setu Samundaram project was another example of being a victim of such frivolous litigation, he added.

These PILs were meant only for championing the cause of socially, economically and educationally backward sections of the society who could not fight for themselves due to economic and other problems, faced by them.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing next week.

UNI SC PJ SW BD2040