Orissa ready to take on Union shipping ministry in SC

The Orissa government has decided to counter the Union ministry of shipping in the Supreme Court on the issue of unilateral extension of limits of Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) if the ministry challenges the recent verdict of the Orissa High Court on the matter.

“If the Union shipping ministry approaches the Supreme Court, we will not hesitate to defend our approach in the apex court. The state government will reiterate its stand in the apex court if the situation demands,” said state Chief Secretary B K Patnaik.

Barely a week after the Orissa High Court struck down the notifications of the Union ministry of shipping and KoPT on extension of port limits, the ministry is understood to be deciding in favour of moving the highest judiciary on the matter. KoPT authorities are also set to be a party to the case.

A two-member division bench of the High Court consisting of Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice B N Mohapatra on November 25 had rejected the two notifications, terming them illegal. First, the Ministry of shipping and later the KoPT authorities had issued notifications to expand the port limits.