With barely 10 days left for the grand “Make in India” event to kick start at the Girgaum Chowpatty beach in Mumbai, the Centre heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday as the Supreme Court lifted the stay imposed on the holding of event by the Bombay High Court.
The big ticket event to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13 is expecting participation of several international guests from across the world, including Prime Ministers of three countries and global corporate czars, and will draw a major roadmap towards making the country a global manufacturing hub that can fetch more jobs for its citizens.
Understandably, it became a prestige issue for the Maharashtra Government to seek an appeal against the January 28 order passed by Bombay High Court. The HC’s approval is mandatory for holding any event at Chowpatty beach as per guidelines laid down in 2005. The holding of Make in India event was denied after an expert committee assisting the HC held the event to be against the guidelines.
Appearing for the State, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the apex court that the Make in India function is “India’s pride” and no permanent structure will be erected at the site. Rohatgi pressed for a stay on HC order assuring there will be no obstruction of traffic in South Mumbai. He further added that it was an international event for which delegates from 56 countries have already registered.
The bench of Justices MY Eqbal and Arun Mishra issued notice and ordered, “In the meantime, interim relief in terms of seeking permission to hold the function is granted.”
The event is expected to continue till February 18. On February 14, there will be a special screening on the art, culture and industrial development of Mumbai as part of a “Maharashta Night” planned at the same site.