SC issues notices to R-Power, Centre on coal issue

The Supreme Court today issued notices to Anil Ambani group company Reliance Power (R-Power) and the Centre over Tata Power's plea opposing government's approval to the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group firm for diverting coal meant for its Sasan ultra mega power project to other project.

The Bench also issued notices to other respondents including Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power and Power Finance Corporation.

The Bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi directed all the parties to file replies within 12 weeks and posted the matter for next hearing in January.

The Apex Court's direction came after senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the Tata Power, submitted that the notice has still not been issued by the court to the respondents including R-Power, Centre and some other bidders who had participated in the bidding process for ultra mega power projects.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Soli Sorabjee, appearing for RPower, submitted the press statement issued by Tata Power after the last hearing and said that the company should refrain from issuing such statements.

On this the Bench told Salve "please advice your client not to issue such press statement".

Tata Power had challenged a decision by an empowered group of ministers to allow R-Power to use coal from the captive mines for Sasan project in Madhya Pradesh for other projects.