Vijayawada: Declining to entertain a PIL seeking action on large-scale illegalities, corruption and deviations in the execution of the Polavaram project, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Union Jalshakti Ministry to consider the plea as a complaint.
A bench headed by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice C. Hari Shankar asked the Centre to hear Pentapati Pulla Rao, and take action.
Counsel for the petitioner submitted that there were large-scale irregularities in the execution of the Polavaram project and it lacked transparency. He submitted that the Union of India was not taking action on the illegalities and allegations of corruption.
The petitioner submitted that the cost of the project has been increased from `16,100 crore to `58,000 crore and CAG reports on corruption were also ignored.
After hearing the petitioner, the court asked the Union Jalshakti Ministry why it did not take action on the allegations of the petitioner.
Responding to the query, counsel for the Union of India and Polavaram Project Authority said the issue pertains to Andhra Pradesh hence the court did not have jurisdiction. This stand was rejected by the bench.
The Delhi High Court directed the Centre to take action on the writ petition by treating it as complaint after hearing the petitioner as expeditiously as possible.
