Patna High Court Seeks Centre's Response Over A Delay Of 14 Years In Setting Up Of Bihar's First Steel Plant

The Patna High Court on Friday sought a response from the Union Government and the State of Bihar, over a delay of 14 years in setting up the first steel plant of Bihar state in the Vaishali District. 

A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Mohit Kumar Shah issued the notice on a plea filed by one Rajiv Ranjan Singh who had moved the Court with a grievance that despite acquiring land for setting up of a Steel Processing Unit (S.P.U.) in Vaishali district, the Governments had failed to set up the plant.

It may be noted that the foundation stone for setting up this plant was laid in April 2008, however, as per the submissions of the petitioner, not a single brick stands laid on the site.

In view of this submission, the Court issued a notice in the matter and ordered the Secretary, Union Steel Ministry, and the State of Bihar to file a detailed affidavit within 3 weeks regarding the non-commissioning of the Steel Processing Plant in Vaishali District of Bihar.

The Court also observed that it expected the authorities, and more so the Central Government to take an appropriate decision in the matter, so that not only the economy of the State gets benefitted but also, the migration of laborers from Bihar could be checked.

With this observation, the matter has now been listed for further hearing on the 22nd of April, 2022.

It may be noted that In the year 2008, that is, about 14 years ago, the foundation of a steel processing plant was laid in Mahanar block of Vaishali district. 50 acres of land was also made available to the Steel Authority for this plant. This was supposed to be the first steel plant to be set up in Bihar after the reorganization of the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

Case Title: Rajiv Ranjan Singh Vs. State of Bihar & Ors.

Coram: Chief Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice Mohit Kumar Shah

Appearances: For the Petitioner- Mrs. Birendra Kumar, Advocate & Mrs. Sanju Singh, Advocate For the Respondent- Dr.K.N.Singh,ASG

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