HC asks government to reply to CGCG Soma today

HYDERABAD: The High Court asked the state government on Friday to clarify by Saturday whether it would communicate to CGCG Soma JV on its objection to the Polavaram project contract. Justice Ramesh Ranganathan was hearing a writ petition filed by CGCG Soma JV against SEW Patel AMR JV.CV Mohan Reddy, the petitioner's lawyer, pointed out that SEW Patel ought to have been disqualified even earlier, considering the financial bid was itself illegal.The petitioner questioned the decision to consider SEW Patel's tender though the company had been found ineligible initially by a committee of engineers. Senior counsel PP Rao, appearing for SEW Patel, said no final decision was taken and the petitioner's objection was being considered, and that the writ petition was premature.At the beginning, the judge volunteered to recuse from the case on the ground that as a lawyer he had appeared against one of the parties.He heard the case after both the counsels expressed confidence in him.