Gujarat High Court today asked the Centre to file an affidavit stating reasons for the delay in compliance of the Supreme Court's order to supply Compressed Natural Gas to Gujarat at the same rate as Delhi and Mumbai under the Administered Price Mechanism (APM).
Observing that much time had lapsed after its own judgement last year on the issue, the division bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala sought to know when the Centre would comply.
The matter was posted to October 18 for further hearing.
The Centre had sought 16 weeks for complying with the Apex court's September 30 order; it had sought time for framing a policy to supply CNG to Gujarat at the same rate as Delhi and Mumbai. But the court did not grant time.
The HC also reiterated earlier order asking the state government to pass necessary laws to make it compulsory for all the four-wheelers registered in Gujarat to convert to natural gas.
Upholding the ruling of the Gujarat High Court, the Supreme Court bench of Justice H L Dattu and Justice M I Iqbal had said that the Centre should provide CNG to Gujarat at the price at which Delhi and Mumbai get it.
Dhrangadhra Prakrutik Mandal had filed a PIL on the issue in High Court in 2011, alleging discrimination against Gujarat.
