In a significant development on Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued a directive to the Delhi government, compelling it to fulfill its financial commitment of ₹415 crore in the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project by November 28. The court’s order, delivered with strong language, serves as a stern reminder to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, emphasizing that failure to transfer the specified sum within the stipulated timeframe would result in the redirection of funds from the government’s advertisement budget for the current fiscal year. This judicial intervention underscores the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the imperative for the Delhi government to adhere to its financial obligations in the context of the crucial RRTS initiative.
In July, the Supreme Court granted the Delhi government a two-month deadline to settle its ₹415 crore dues for the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.
Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, the Supreme Court has expressed dismay at the Delhi government’s non-compliance with its earlier directives. In a stern warning, the court articulated its intention to utilize the AAP government’s advertising budget for settling the dues related to the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project. This strong stance from the judiciary comes in response to the government’s failure to adhere to the court’s April order, instructing prompt payment of the outstanding balance.
In the latest developments, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has pledged to allocate budgetary provisions for the RRTS project. However, the Supreme Court, evidently dissatisfied with the delayed compliance, informed the Delhi government’s counsel that it felt “constrained” to redirect funds initially earmarked for advertising purposes towards the specified project.
Despite this stringent stance, the court, demonstrating a degree of flexibility, has opted to keep the order in abeyance for a week. This temporary reprieve provides the Delhi government with a limited window to rectify its non-compliance and fulfill the financial obligations associated with the crucial RRTS initiative. The court’s insistence on adhering to its directives, coupled with the proposed utilization of advertising funds, underscores the gravity of the situation and the imperative for timely execution of financial commitments in the realm of vital public projects.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/scs-one-week-warning-to-delhi-govt-on-rrts-dues-advertisement-funds-to-be-transferred-101700550721203.html
Edited: Sakshi Semwal