Gujarat HC dismisses PIL against Nano project

Gujarat High Court dismissed a Public Interest Petition, filed by Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Kisan Dal (RKD), challenging the state government’s decision of allotting agriculture land to set up Tata Motors Nano Car Project in Sanand taluka of Ahmedabad District.

Dismissing the PIL, a Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice R K Radhakrishnan and Justice Aquil Qureshi, observed that the petitioner has not succeeded in establishing that the decision taken by the Government in alloting land to 2nd respondent in any way violates any statutory provision or statutory rules or regulations.

The court said the petitioner has not succeeded in showing that the transaction entered into between the State Government and 2nd respondent is a malafide exercise of power. "Under the circumstances, we find no reason to entertain the PIL, which is not in public interest and intended only for media attention and publicity".

The court also observed that the PIL has been filed by an organization styled as RKD, represented by its Chairman. There is nothing to show as to whether this organization is a registered organization, representing the cause of farmers in the state.

Party-in-person, stating himself to be the Chairman of RKD, has appeared and argued his case, it said.

The Writ petition has been preferred, seeking directions to the State Government not to allot agricultural lands to 2nd respondent for the purpose of setting up of Tata Nano Car Project, it was contended.

Petitioner has submitted that by allotting the land in question to 2nd respondent, the State in no way is benefitted, but on the other hand, it will adversely affect the interests of the farmers/agriculturists, and consequently there will be shortage of agricultural products.