PANAJI, July 17: The Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday sharply hit out against power secretary Rakesh Mehta and accused him of taking the court for a ride by furnishing incorrect information. Though Mehta subsequently tendered an unconditional apology, the court felt that he should be punished and directed the state government to record this observation in Mehta's confidential report. The bench which is hearing a public interest litigation on the delay in completing a power station, the contract for which was awarded to a private party.During an earlier hearing on July 6, Mehta had forwarded some notings to the court after which he submitted an affidavit on July 10. The court pointed out to contradictions between the notings and the affidavit and asked the power secretary to be present in court on July 14 and explain.Mehta then apologised before the court and sought time to file a fresh affidavit. The court also objected to Mehta's submission that he required time to approach andadvocate from Mumbai as he did not know any advocates in Goa.The case was filed before the court because the state government had awarded the contract for constructing the Kadamba sub-station to Ramsons Ltd, a private contractor in May 1994. Though the project was to have been completed by March 1996 only sixty per cent of the work was completed till June 1998.While part of the sub-station was commissioned on June 5 this year the state government terminated the contract with Ramsons as the pace of work was slow. In all seven extensions in time was granted to the company between 1996 and 1998.The judges also questioned the government's decision to pay a sum of Rs 4.29 crore out of the total contract value fixed at Rs 6.14 crore to Ramsons only when sixty per cent of the work has been completed. The state government has now decided to renegotiate the tender with other agencies for completing the sub-station.
