The Supreme Court on Thursday admitted a petition filed by the Odisha Government challenging accord of national project status to the Polavaram project of Andhra Pradesh.
Conducting a hearing on the petition, the apex court served notices to the Andhra Pradesh and Central Governments seeking their replies within four weeks.
The court also made Karnataka and Maharashtra parties in the case.
“The Supreme Court today issued notices on our application seeking to make Chhattisgarh and Telangana parties in the case. Andhra Pradesh and the Union Government have been asked to file their replies within four weeks. Further, the court made Karnataka and Maharashtra as parties in the case,” informed State Government counsel Radheshyam Jena.
Notably, the Odisha Government has moved the court with apprehension that some parts of Malkangiri district would be submerged due to the irrigation project.
While the erstwhile UPA Government had accorded national project status to the Polavaram project, the incumbent NDA Government has announced to bear all cost for construction of the project.
Commenting on the development, Odisha leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, “It is no achievement. Has the Government been able to bring a stay order in the caseIJ If yes, then we will put a full stop now. If the Government is satisfied with today’s development then will they (ruling party) withdraw theirOctober 1 Hartal in seven districtsIJ” he further posed
Mishra pointed out that the Government could not secure a stay order from the court during nine years since it has filed the case. It shows how sincere the State Government is, he quipped.