HC strikes down GO on Sompeta Thermal Power Plant

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday struck down the government order which allowed the controversial construction of a thermal power plant in the land which was allotted to the Nagarjuna Constructions by the government of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in 2008.

A GO was issued in 2008 by the then chief minister, allocating 972 acres at Sompeta in Srikakulam district for erecting a 260 MW thermal Power Project by the said company.

Work had already been started despite heavy resistance from the local farmers.

But the government tried to suppress the agitation by the farmers which had the backing of the opposition parties and other social organizations also. Following the stir by the farmers, the district administration ordered police firing which claimed lives of poor and innocent farmers on July 14, 2010.

The issue was raised in the state Assembly and a furore was created but the Treasury Benches under the then chief minister K Rosaiah decided not to alter the GO and hence the work by the company began. Yet the government of the day did not alter its orders.

 Left with no other alternatives, the local farmers with the support from local leaders approached the High Court for redressal of their grievance. 

In this backdrop, the High Court issued orders striking down the cited GO for stopping the work on the proposed Thermal Project.