Today(on 1st April), the Supreme Court issued a notice to Delhi’s Principal Secretary (Finance) based on a complaint from the AAP government. The complaint alleges funds meant for the Delhi Jal Board, responsible for water management, are being withheld.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 1st April), The Supreme Court of India issued a notice to the Principal Secretary (Finance) of Delhi in response to a grievance raised by the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) government.
The complaint centered around the allegation that the official in question was withholding funds allocated for the Delhi Jal Board, a critical entity responsible for managing water supply and resources in the capital city.
Supreme Court Bench, Chaired by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, alongside justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, opted against extending the notice to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s office.
This decision was influenced by the insights of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who articulated that the Lieutenant Governor’s office did not play a role in the finance department’s decision-making regarding fund disbursement.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the matter for a detailed hearing on April 5.
The dispute arose on March 20, when the AAP government, headed by Arvind Kejriwal, appealed to the Supreme Court. The increasing tension between the Delhi government and its bureaucratic machinery remains a persistent issue in the city’s governance.
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud‘s intervention during the proceedings offered reassurance to the AAP government, confirming the court’s power to compel the release of the Rs 3,000 crore funds allocated for the Delhi Jal Board, even with the looming deadline of March 31.
Representing the Delhi government, senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, stating-
“The budget was duly passed and yet the funds meant for the DJB were not being released and it would result in their lapse.”
By issuing a notice to the Principal Secretary (Finance) and quickly scheduling a hearing, the court is taking proactive steps to solve governance issues. This ensures that important services like water supply aren’t disrupted by delays.
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