- (1.) AN affidavit has been filed by Mr. Sahay, one of the Members of the Special Committee and Engineer Liaison Officer, Ministry of Shipping, Department of Road Transport and Highways, on behalf of the Central Government. It is noticed from the said affidavit that in pursuance of the order passed by this Court of 8.1.2008, Special Committee headed by Regional Officer, Patna, and comprising of Chief Engineer (NH), R.C.D., Jharkhand, concerned S.E. (NH), ELO, Ranchi and concerned EE (NH) has been constituted through Ministry's letter dated 22.1.2008 to monitor the progress of the works and to furnish the details of the progress. It is prayed therein that inclusion of the Chief Engineer, Ministry of Shipping. Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi, as part of the Special Committee may please be dispensed with as he is preoccupied with the matters pertaining to Parliamentary Affairs, policy matters, planning etc. But he has assured in the affidavit that the Chief Engineer, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi, will have overall control over the Special Committee and provide necessary guidance to the said Committee from time to time. - -
(2.) SO in view of this undertaking given in the affidavit, inclusion of the Chief Engineer, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi, in the Special Committee is dispensed with, but, as undertaken in the affidavit he shall have overall control over the Special Committee and provide necessary guidance, whenever the Special Committee requires the same. With regard to according sanction regarding revised estimates, it is stated therein that all the revised estimates have been received by the Central Government on 18.1.2008 and the revised estimates for these works are being processed for approval, which may take 2 -3 weeks. However, it is stated in the affidavit that the revised estimates are likely to be sanctioned by 8.2.2008.
(3.) EVEN though this Court, on 8.1.2008, granted 15 days' time to the Central Government to consider and decide the matter of granting sanction, i.e. on or before 23.1.2008, it is stated in the affidavit that the work of sanctioning will be completed only by 8.2.2008. In our view, it would be appropriate to direct the Central Government to complete the progress of sanctioning on or before 30.1.2008. Post this case on 4.2.2008 for reporting compliance. Let copies of this order be given to the counsel appearing for the parties.;