New Delhi: In a setback to the government, the Supreme Court on Tuesday restrained it from going ahead with any further disinvestment of its minority share in Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL), the management of which is under the control of a Vedanta subsidiary.
The apex court also questioned the government for showing “hurry” in selling its 29 per cent of valuable shares in the company which deals with the “strategic minerals.”
“There will be status quo as of today pertaining to disinvestment of Hindus-tan Zinc Ltd to be maintained by parties,” a bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justices A.K. Sikri and R. Banumathi said.
The bench clarified that it was not stopping Sterlite Vedanta, which has taken over the company, from carrying out investment, but only stopping the government from selling its residuary shares in it.
The bench also said it will not allow any further disinvestment in HZL till the matter is heard as it admitted the petition filed by National Confederation of Officers’ Associations of Central Public Sector Undertakings through advocate Prashant Bhushan challenging the proposal to relinquish the remaining shares in the company.
The Union cabinet had approved a stake sale in Hindustan Zinc in 2014. Senior advocate C.A. Sundaram, appearing for Vedanta, submitted that the private company had taken over the majority stakes 14-years back when HZL was a loss-making firm and now it has emerged as a profit-making unit.
The court asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatagi, “What is the requirement to hand over the valuable assets to Vedanta. Don’t do this and don't go for the disinvestment. We will hear the matter. We will not allow them to sell.”
The bench also wanted to know why the government wanted to part with its stakes in HZL. “What is the reason to disinvest further. Why are you in a hurry? Let us first hear the case. You will not disinvest your shares till our orders,” it said.
