Advantage govt: Will collective memory of coalgate fade?

The Supreme Court, whle delivering opinion on presidential reference, said there cannot be any constitutional restriction on means adopted to serve public good. The verdict has given a shot in the arm of the beleagured UPA government which has been opposing demand to let court decide on policy matters. With the court saying auction may be good for revenue maximisation; but maximisation of revenue is not the only way to serve public good, the government may have managed to shut detractors. Besides helping the power sector, The decision may also help ebb public memory of the great coal scam. 

Will coalgate scam fade away?
The verdict can provide a some relief to the coal scam,says SP Tulsian of sptulsian.com. The kind of noise which we were seeing on account of public good preceding over revenue maximizations has been answered by the court. There is a sense in giving coal blocks at zero value, he said. For instance, Sasan coal block is given to Reliance Power, but the price quoted by it for the supply of power from the Sasan ultra mega power project (around Rs 1.25 paisa) indicates they have not included the cost of coal. Tuslian feels this is a big positive for the government. "In fact, the effect of the CAG report may get diluted to the extent of 99% from hereon, in respect to the coal scam or coalgate underestimation". He feels the losses mentioned in CAG report may not hold good in view of this judgment. Who will benefit most
The Supreme Court verdict along with Discom loan restructuring will be a big boost to the power sector. Tulsian sees a lot of noise regarding auction of other related matters will be dimmed. Tulsian  says the government would need to expedite the environment and  forest clearances as well. For instance, coal blocks required for setting up a steel plant will fall under commercial exploitation by that company since there cannot be any public good involved. Hence, the judgment regarding alienation of natural resources along with public good has to be read in context.