GoM146;s talks on Sethu inconclusive

An informal Group of Ministers GoM constituted to finalise Centre8217;s stand on the Sethusamudram project held its first meeting on Thursday but was unable to reach any conclusion.

Culture Minister Ambika Soni and Shipping Minister T R Baalu, along with their Cabinet colleagues, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, Law Minister H R Bhardwaj met at External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee8217;s residence in the evening to reconcile the opposing views over the stand the Centre should take in the matter.

The meeting had a detailed discussion on a draft affidavit that was circulated to all the ministries concerned for their perusal but sources said the deliberations remained inconclusive and further meetings would be convened soon.

Meanwhile, Mukherjee is also likely to continue the one-on-one meetings he has been holding with these ministers in a bid to seek a common ground between the two opposing views.