IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL Writ Petition No. 532 of 2008 (PIL) Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK). ……………Petitioner Versus State of Uttarakhand & seven others. …………Respondents Mr. Kartikey Hari Gupta and Ms. Pallavi Bahuguna, Advocates for the petitioner. Mr. L.P. Naithani, Advocate General assisted by Mr. P.C. Bisht, Brief Holder for State of Uttarakhand. Mr. Vipul Sharma, Advocate for respondent no.3. Mr. Arvind Vashistha, Assistant Solicitor General for respondent nos. 6 & 7. Coram: Hon’ble V.K.Gupta, C.J. Hon’ble V.K. Bist, J. V.K. Gupta,C.J. (Oral) In this petition the petitioner has made following prayers :- A. To issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus to the State Government of Uttarakhand and to re-start with the construction of the Pala-Maneri and Bhaironghati Phase 1 & II hydro electricity generation projects on the river Ganga-Bhagirathi without any further delay. B. Quash the P.I.L. number 468 of 2008 as it is not a Public Interest Litigation (P.I.L.) but a Political Interest Litigation. C. Pass such other and further order as may be deemed fit and proper in the circumstances of the present case. The subject matter of the petition relates to two Hydro Electric Projects “Pala-Maneri” and “Bhaironghati phase I and II” on River Ganga-Bhagirathi in the State of Uttarakhand. Vide separate order passed today by us in writ petition no.15 of 2009 (PIL) with the consent and agreement of the parties in that case, we have referred the issue relating to another Hydro Electric Project for consideration by the National Ganga River Basin Authority (Authority, for short) constituted by the Government of India vide its Notification No. S.O.521 (E) dated 20.02.2009. After hearing the detailed arguments of the learned counsel for the parties we are of the considered opinion that the subject matter of this petition, viz. whether to continue or not to continue with “Pala-Maneri” and “Bhaironghati phase I and II” Hydro Electric Projects should also be referred for consideration by the aforesaid Authority in the same manner as has been ordered to be done in writ petition no.15 of 2009 (PIL). We accordingly dispose of this petition by ordering and directing that the issue forming the subject matter of this writ petition with respect to the aforesaid two Projects shall be considered by the Authority in the same manner as the issue forming the subject matter of the writ petition no.15 of 2009 (PIL). The writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. (V.K.Bist, J.) (V.K. Gupta, C.J.) 18.05.2009 SKS/ARTI