Retired SC judge to probe Enron deal

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, OCT. 24. Mr. Sudhakar Kurudkar, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, has been picked by the Maharashtra Government to go into all aspects of the Enron deal that has led to a major controversy and a slew of legal cases.

Mr. Kurudkar will have to submit his report within six months from the date of notification, the Chief Minister, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, said today.

A confirmation that his name has been finalised came from Mr. Deshmukh after two days of media leaks amid strong protests by the Nationalist Congress Party that a probe at this stage, when efforts were on to find a solution, including a buyer for the project, was inappropriate. The NCP questioned only the timing, not the probe.

The terms of reference, which include the first PPA signed by the Congress Government here and the later, changed PPA after the project was scrapped by the Shiv Sena-BJP Government, were approved over a month ago after all partners of the coalition Government consented to probe's parameters.

There was no indication from the Government today as to whether it would delay the notification given the NCP's strong reservations. Mr. Deshmukh, on the other hand, is under pressure from the Congress since the probe would be seen as an embarrassment to Mr. Sharad Pawar, who was an important mover of the concept of the FDI that brought Enron to Maharashtra.

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Section  : National
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