MANDI: The Himachal Pradesh government’s legal cell has come under intense scrutiny following its alleged failure to effectively defend the state’s interests in crucial legal matters, resulting in several setbacks and embarrassing situations for the state administration.
In recent days, several high-profile cases have exposed the inefficiency of the government’s legal representatives. One of the most notable incidents occurred with the Himachal Bhawan in Delhi, where the Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered its attachment over a dispute involving a power project.
Embarrassing moments for Congress regime
The high court also directed a fact-finding investigation to hold accountable the officials responsible for the mismanagement. Despite having a team of well-paid and senior government lawyers, the state failed to present a robust defence, leading to significant embarrassment.
In another instance, the Himachal Pradesh government found itself on the backfoot in the appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries as its legal team was unable to prevent the defeat that led to six MLAs facing a threat even to their Assembly membership.
Other setbacks that government has faced
The court even reprimanded the appointed government lawyers. This is not an isolated occurrence. The state’s handling of key issues such as outsourcing recruitment and police investigations have been similarly criticised.
The high court recently blocked outsourcing recruitment, questioning the legitimacy of over 100 companies involved in the process, leading to a significant blow to the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government’s credibility.
The Supreme Court’s decision on the Shanan Pan Electric Project, which should have worked in the state’s favour, also ended with no substantial legal action, despite the government’s legal team being fully aware of the project’s importance. Additionally, the state’s attempts to take control of crucial projects like SJVNL have faced roadblocks, again due to poor legal maneouvering.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Sundernagar Rakesh Jamwal said that it was very unfortunate that a situation had come where a court had to order attachment of Himachal Bhawan, which was the state’s identity in Delhi.
“It is the government’s sheer failure that despite appointing 70 lawyers as Advocate General, Additional Advocate Generals and Deputy Advocate Generals and spending crores of rupees on their salaries every year, the legal team has been unable to protect the state’s interest,” he said.
CM Sukhu comes out with statement
Jamwal alleged that be it the CPS matter or ‘samosa’ inquiry, Himachal had of late been making national headlines only for all the wrong reasons and every citizen of the state was hurt by the latest court order of attaching Himachal Bhawan.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Rs 64 crore upfront premium of a hydro power company had been forfeited as per Hydro Power Policy of 2006. “I have yet to read the order, but there is clause for forfeiture of upfront premium deposited by the power company. The return of the Rs 64 crore amount is a decision of an arbitrator and the state government has moved court against it,” he said, responding to high court order on attaching the Himachal Bhawan in Delhi.
