Delhi Minister Gopal Rai Granted Political Clearance for New York Visit: Centre Tells HC

The Central Government on Friday informed the Delhi High Court that it has granted political clearance to Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai to travel to New York from September 15 to 21 for the Columbia India Energy Dialogue.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed Justice Subramonium Prasad about this decision, adding that while clearance has been granted in the current circumstances, it should not set a precedent.

The court disposed of Rai’s petition, in which he sought to quash the central government’s initial order denying him political clearance for his overseas travel to attend the program.

Initially, the Centre opposed granting clearance during the morning session, but later, during the post-lunch session, it informed the court of the development.

In a letter dated September 12, the Ministry of External Affairs had stated that it had examined the proposal and initially declined political clearance, citing that it would not be appropriate for the Government of NCT of Delhi to attend the Columbia-India Energy Dialogue, as India would be represented by Shri Suman Kumar Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.

Rai had sought permission to travel to New York from September 15 to 21 to participate in the program, where he was invited as one of the speakers. He argued that his official request was unjustly rejected, citing “arbitrary and malafide” reasons.

“The invitation is specific for different persons representing different stakeholders and does not intend to confine delegates at the national level only for the formal representation of the country, therefore the reason cited herein above is nothing but a colorable exercise of power and accordingly bad in law,” Rai’s petition stated.