Hearing on plea against HC stay on IPP today

A division bench comprising Chief Justice V Goapal Gowda and Justice S K Mishra adjudicating over a batch of petitions pertaining to the project mooted by KVK Nilachal Powers, adjourned the hearing of the case till August 7.

Independent Power Producer (IPP), which had proposed to set up the project, has sought lifting of the interim stay on construction work.

The High Court had earlier ordered for status quo on the construction of the project which is coming up on an area over 900 acres of land at Kandarei village of Athgarh `tehsil`.

The interim order had come in May this year while adjudicating over a PIL filed by peasants of nearby areas.

While last month, the high court had asked the company to approach National Board of Wildlife for getting a clearance within two weeks, the company on Monday indicated having no intention to approach the Wildlife Board and instead renewed prayer for vacating stay slapped in last May.

The High Court received at least 16 petitions pertaining to the power plant and the Bench preferred to hear all the matters together.