In a significant development, the Supreme Court today quashed a PIL against the prestigious Kaleshwaram irrigation project being constructed by the Telangana government.
The petitioner, a retired engineer named Lakshmi Narayana, sought a stay against the project claiming that the government was spending huge public money unnecessarily, replacing many people by rendering them landless and shelterless, and constructing more reservoirs than required for the project. He is also said to have argued that a lot of money in interest was being paid to private banks for the funds borrowed for the project, and that the project was merely becoming a tourist spot.
Lakshmi Narayana also sought that the court appoint a separate judicial committee to probe the project.
After hearing the case, Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta gave a verdict dismissing the petition. The court rejected the argument of the petitioner that it was an inter-state issue and was therefore a fit case to be taken up by the Supreme Court. They however provided some relief to the petitioner saying that he could approach the High Court with his plea if he chose to. In the event of any notice being issued to Maharashtra the petitioner could approach the Supreme Court, the judges said.
The arguments on behalf of the Telangana government were presented by senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi.
Incidentally, the Centre has accorded all necessary permissions for the Kaleshwaram project.