Question : EXPENSES IN HIRING OF ADVOCATES

to the USQ No. 4541 dated 22.4.2002 and state :

(a) whether there is an increase in expenses in hiring advocates out of panel;

(b) if so, the facts and the details of the amount spent during each of the last three years;

(c) whether it is a fact that number of litigations has increased and BCCL filed writs in Jharkhand High Court after losing the case in supreme Court to hire such lawyers;

(d) if so, the facts and details for the year 2002; and

(e) the steps taken to stop such wasteful expenditure being incurred on hiring lawyers?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a): No, Sir. There has been no engagement of Advocate out of panel and as such there is no increase in legal expenses.

(b): Question does not arise.

(c): Generally there has been an increasing trend in number of litigations in view of filing of cases by parties on various counts but it is not a fact that BCCL has filed writs in Jharkhand High Court after losing the case in Supreme Court to hire such lawyers.

(d): Question does not arise.

(e): In contesting/defending litigations to safeguard the interest of the company, it is ensured that no wasteful expenditure is incurred particularly in engagement of lawyers since engagement is made considering the merits of each case / compelling circumstances.