Himachal HC pulls government over

Shimla, Jun 3 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court today pulled up the state government for not presenting a clear stand in the allotment of the Jhangi-Thopan-Powari Hydel project in Kinnaur district of the state and ordering a vigilance inquiry even as the case was pending in the court.

The project was allotted to Brakel Hydro Power Company.

The court, in its order, said that the government should take a final decision about its stand in this case and directed the state chief secretary to file an affidavit in four weeks.

The case has been listed for further hearing on July nine, next month.

It said on one hand the government was opposing the Reliance Energy's petition by filing an affidavit in the court on May 27 and on the other hand, it was conducting Vigilance and income tax inquiries.

Opposing the government's move, it observed that there must be consistency in its decision-making process.

The court said 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 had it ordered an inquiry into the case.

UNI XC AS PS MMS1926