The Hindu : New Delhi News : We can’t go into economics of Sethu project: court

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We can’t go into economics of Sethu project: court

Legal Correspondent

Jurisdiction limited in such matters

Project is not viable; it is a security risk: Swamy
“Ramar Sethu in existence for thousands of years”

New Delhi: Continuing his arguments in the Ramar Sethu case, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy told the Supreme Court on Thursday that the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project would not be economically viable and the whole economic calculation was a “fraud.”

Justice Raveendran intervened and said, “Even if it is a foolish project in terms of economics, we can’t go into it. How much should be spent, in what manner it should be spent are all matters for the government to decide.”

Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said, “Our jurisdiction is very limited in such matters.”

Dr. Swamy, quoting the Director-General of the Coast Guard, said implementing the project would be a serious security risk for the country.

Senior counsel M.N. Krishnamani, appearing for Dr. Kalyana Raman, said: “It has come on record that Ramar Sethu [Adam’s Bridge] has been in existence for thousands of years and that it is regarded as holy by Hindus. Even Muslims regard this causeway as the one used by Adam for reaching Lanka. These two factors are enough to declare Ramar Sethu an ancient monument. If Sethu on which Lord Rama walked over to Lanka is not sacred, nothing in the world could be sacred.”

The Centre will give its response on July 22.

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