PunjabHaryana High Court Gspl India Gasnet Ltd. And Another vs State Of Punjab And Others on 19 July, 2024 Neutral Citation No:2024:PHHC:090827 IN THE PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT AT CHANDIGARH 108+248 CM10944CWP2024 in/and CWP74492024 (O&M) and CWP74582024 Date of Decision: 19.07.2024 GSPL INDIA GASNET LTD. AND ANOTHER ..... Petitionerss VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS .... Respondents **** Present: Mr. Bipin Ghai, Sr. Advocate with M . Anupam Bhanot, Advocate and Ms. Mr. Nikhil Ghai, Advocate for the p petitioners in both cases. Ms. Akshita Chauhan, DAG, Punjab for respondents No.1 to 6. **** VINOD S. BHARDWAJ, J. (ORAL) CM10944CWP CWP2024 For the reasons mentioned in the application, the same is allowed as prayed for subject to all just exceptions. The letter/order dated 27.06.2024 (Annexure P P13) 13) issued by District Magistrate, Bathinda is ordered to be taken on record. Registry is directed ted to tag the same at appropriate place of the paper book and page mark the same. MAIN CASES The grievance of the petitioners in both these inter interrelated related petitions is in relation to an impediment being caused by the protestors at 1 of 29 ::: Downloaded on 09082024 23:57:48 ::: Neutral Citation No:2024:PHHC:090827 CWP74492024 2024 (O&M) and CWP74582024 2024 2 Bathinda in the work of laying of the pipeline for the transportation of natural gas, despite the project being undertaken with all statutory compliance compliances and under an authority given by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India vide S.O. No. 89 (E) dated 04.01.2017 1.2017 in District Bathinda, Punjab. Despite repeated and multiple requests at all levels, the administration has failed to take any step leading to the filing of the present petition. 2. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner has argued that the Central Govt. issued notification dated 04.01.2017 04.01.2017, in public interest, for transportation ion of Natural Gas from Mehsana to Bathinda. The Central Govt. declared its intention to acquire the user right on the land under Section 3 (1) of the Petroleum and Minerals Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of user in land) Act, 1962 (hereinafter referred to as Act of 1962) . The development of gas infrastructure in the State would have fuelled industrialization due to easy availability of Gas and lead to establishment and growth of industry. The same would boost overall economy and generate employment opportunities for the youth of State. The petitioner has been authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board to develop the pipeline over 940 kms on which more than 98% work in other States and Districts has already been completed. Only about 1200 meters of Pipeline is left in District Bathinda. 2 of 29 ::: Downloaded on 09082024 23:57:49 ::: Neutral Citation No:2024:PHHC:090827 CWP74492024 2024 (O&M) and CWP74582024 2024 3 3. It is also submitted that the compensation compensation, in line with the methodology adopted by the Public Sector Undertaking for the pipeline, as advised by the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda was assessed @40% of Rs. 60 lakhs per acre against 20% of the prevailin prevailing g rate of Rs. 20 lakhs per acre under the Act of 1962. It is informed that the protestors are sseeking eeki