NGOs oppose advocate general Kamal Trivedi’s opinon for Nirma plant, demand his resignations.
The opposition to Nirma's proposed cement plant at Padhiyarka village in, Mahuva taluka of Bhavnagar district, has taken a serious turn. Gujarat Lok Samiti and Lok Andolan Gujarat — the people's bodies opposing the cement plant at Mahuva — have demanded the resignation of Kamal Trivedi, advocate General of Gujarat state.
The resignation has been demanded for the allegedly biased opinion given by Trivedi in the case of allocation of land to Nirma for the cement plant. The state government had sought Trivedi's opinion as the advocate general for the state of Gujarat because Nirma was allotted 268 hectares of land, of which 222 hectares constituted a water body.
The water body came into existence after 2002 due to the construction of 'Bandharas' (dam) by the state government. According to experts, Trivedi, who is also appearing in the court for other legal cases of Nirma, should not have given his opinion, if there was a conflict of duty and interest in the matter.
Dr Kanubhai Kalasariya, MLA from Mahuva constituency, has sent a legal notice to Trivedi, through his advocate Anand Yagnik. Dr. Kalasariya said, "We have demanded a clarification from the advocate general for his opinion which he had given in the case. He should not have given his opinion in this case, as he is appearing on behalf of his legal firm, which has Nirma as its client." He said it is very clear from the opinion that he has given to the state government that he has done so to favour Nirma.
"We have sent him a legal notice and he was supposed to reply within a week, but so far we have got none," said Kalasariya.Manishi Jani, social activist said, the advocate general appointed by the state government is supposed to give an opinion keeping in mind the public interest. "But in this case, he should not have given any opinion as there was conflict of interest," Jani said.
Sanat Mehta, veteran politician and former state finance minister, said "The AG has set a poor example by giving opinion in a case for a company on whose behalf he has often appeared in court. He should resign from the post," said Mehta.
Trivedi was not available for comment despite many telephone calls and text messages.
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