The official was summoned by a bench comprising Justice Kamlesh Sharma and Justice L.S. Panta taking sumo motu action against the inaction of the Central government in the water cess case involving states of HP, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan besides the Government of India.

The court, however, has not taken any decision so far on the apology and appointed Advocate-General Sanjay Karol to assist the court in the contempt case against the Union secretary.

In the water cess case, in which the Punjab Electricity Board and some other power authorities have challenged imposition of cess on hydel projects in the state, the court had issued notices to the Union of India for filing a reply. But despite many opportunities there was no response.

With the state of HP claiming nearly 1200 crores as cess, the court asked the A-G, on May 6 this year, to take up the matter with the Central government. There was no response from Union Ministry even to the communications sent by the A-G.

It was thereafter that the bench decided to issue contempt notice to the secretary directing him to appear in person. The matter will be taken up along with the main writ petition in January. The court however granted exemption from personal appearance to the secretary for future hearings.