The Supreme Court on August 30 ruled that there was no age limit for the chairman’s post under the Electricity Act.
Quoting the Electricity Act, the apex court reinstated H B Lal as chairman of Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) and quashed Jharkhand High Court’s order.
On April 27, 2009, the high court had quashed the September 27, 2008, appointment of Lal as JSEB chairman, questioning the state government’s role in selecting a “90-year-old” for a second term.
The then state governor, Sayed Sibtey Razi, removed Lal and appointed A K Chugh as JSEB chairman on April 29, 2009. Lal, who was first appointed chairman of JSEB in 2004, moved the Supreme Court. While delivering the judgment, a division bench of the apex court mentioned that the record of services rendered by Lal was good and hence Lal was permitted to join forthwith.
Lal, who is now in Patna, sent his joining letter by fax to Governor’s advisor V S Dubey (also holds charge of the energy department) assuming charge as chairman, JSEB.
In a related development, the state vigilance bureau has lodged FIRs with Ranchi police against former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, H B Lal, B M Verma, B N Pandey, all former chairmen of JSEB for causing losses to the state through manipulation of tenders relating to rural electrification projects.