Mumbai: The Union government on January 20 tendered an unconditional apology to the Enron probe commission for filing an irregular affidavit to oppose its jurisdiction to go into the validity of the controversial Dabhol power project.

The apology was tendered by senior government counsel R V Desai on behalf of the secretary to the ministry of power R V Shahi.

The Commission had on January 20 summoned Secretary to Union Power Ministry R V Shahi and desk officer Jaideep Lahatakia to appear in person and explain individually why they had not obtained approval from the Cabinet on the government's stand over its jurisdiction to conduct the inquiry.

Shahi and Lahatakia did not appear but Joint Secretary to Ministry of Power Anil Kumar Kutty appeared before the Commission and filed a proper affidavit reiterating the Union government's stand to oppose its jurisdiction.

The Commission exempted Shahi and Lahatakia from personal appearance but did not take on record government's affidavit as the joint secretary was unable to produce the minutes of Cabinet meeting, which authorised the Centre's stand.

The one-man inquiry Commission, headed by justice S P Kurdukar, on January 9, expressed dissatisfaction over the Union government's written submission signed by a desk officer who was junior in rank. Justice Kurdukar observed that it should have been signed by the secretary to the Power Ministry after obtaining due authorisation from the Cabinet.

The Centre has opposed the jurisdiction of Enron probe commission to inquire into the executive decisions taken by the Centre under various Central statutes.

PTI