• The other allegation was that the Mayawati government did not obtain performance guarantee from Jaiprakash Associates, which is mandatory in case of default. The Narayan report says: “In the face of obligations undertaken by M/s Jaiprakash, there was no necessity of Performance Guarantee/Security.” The project “is of immense public utility and also in national interest.”

• The third allegation was that the Mayawati government pushed through the project worth crores without following the legal procedure. The Narayan report says: “The Contract as per the Concession Agreement dated February 7, 2003 is lawful, valid and still subsisting contract, enforceable in law¿ The costs and obligation, agreed in the Contract, were based on policy decisions of the State Government after due deliberations while preparing the Bid Documents and those would be deemed to be adequate on the facts and in the circumstances of the case.”

And in order to ensure the project doesn’t get entangled in politics again, the committee has recommended certain “mandatory steps” for the government to follow. It says “deadlock at any level” should be removed and recommends that the State Pollution Control Board “expedite its process to grant Environmental Clearance Certificate without any further delay.” Mayawati’s BSP is in obvious glee. Its general-secretary S C Mishra said: “Our stance has been vindicated. This has shown how Mayawati’s genuine efforts for the development of UP had been derailed for political expediency. This would leave lot of egg on the faces of those who called us corrupt.”

... contd.