DeshGujarat

Gandhinagar, 4 August 2012

Leader of Opposition in the State assembly Shaktisinh Gohil today lashed out against Gujarat Chief Minister for “protecting” “errant” Hindustan Construction Company. He demanded that action should be taken against the company for its failure in completing Limbdi Canal work of Narmada of 1081 KM length. He said that as a result, farmers of Zalawad were not able to get Narmada water.

Gohil said:the company was awarded canal and service road work of Rs. 298 Crore. The work was assigned on 26-04-2011. As per the term of contract HCC had to complete 0.5% work in 55% time limit. However till 17-2-2012, the company did not do anything. This has caused unimaginable loss to people of Zalawad.

Consequently Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. (SSNNL) served a notice to the company on 10-02-2012 and 27-2-2012 that the company’s deposit is to be forfeited and the company will have to complete the job on its own cost. But this was challenged by the company in the District Civil Court it and the company lost the case. This was challenged by the company in the High Court where a division bench dismissed the appeal through its order of 27-3-2012. Following this, SSNNL through its order of 10-05-2012 told the company that its deposit of Rs. 26,17,11,000 is forfeited and as per clause 7 of the tender agreement, HCC will have to complete the work at its cost and on its own risk. However the company has close relations with the Chief Minister and this order has not come into force till 10-05-2012. The owner of HCC, Ajit Gulabchand had come to meet the Chief Minister in the month of February and the Chief Minister had gone to Lavasa on an invitation by him.

Gohil had written a letter to the Chief Minister that the Chief Minister should stop hobnobbing with industrialists who are defaulting on agreements with the Government and dragging the Government to the court. Even advisors to the Chief Minister and officers should not entertain such industrialists and contractors. Chief Operating Officer of the company has written a letter to the Chairman of SSNNL on 11-05-2012 that he was in touch with Chief Minister Office and B. N. Navlawala. Gohil wondered that when such persons were protected by the Chief Minister Office, how could other officers initiate action against them? Why the deposit has not been forfeited he asked. Why this company has not been blacklisted. He claimed that there is a conspiracy by the Government to benefit HCC by weakening the case.

Congress has demanded that Government should come out with a status report of the Dholera Project for which it has signed a MOU with HCC. The Government should also make public details of Kutch canal where HCC has sublet its contract work to another company. It has demanded that in the case of Limbdi canal, deposit of HCC be forfeited and farmers should be compensated for not getting water in time.

Minister reacts to Congress’s “blatant lie” on HCC issue