Tabling of CAG reports: Delhi HC seeks Speaker’s reply on BJP MLAs’ plea for special Assembly sitting
New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday agreed to examine a plea filed by several BJP legislators seeking a direction to the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly to call for a special sitting for the tabling of the CAG reports.
A bench of Justice Sanjeev asked the Delhi government, Assembly Speaker and other respondents to file their reply in the matter by January 9, 2025.
Justice Narula-led Bench also took note of the submission that Chief Minister Atishi, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, has forwarded to the Speaker the CAG reports approved by the Lt. Governor (L-G).
Earlier on Monday, the plea filed by Opposition MLAs was mentioned before Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Vibhu Bakhru, who directed the plea to be listed in the ordinary course.
The much-delayed CAG reports purportedly talk about the alleged lapses of the city government related to the now-withdrawn excise policy, anti-pollution drive and other matters of state finances that may cause embarrassment to the AAP-led government just before the Assembly polls.
The latest plea filed by BJP MLAs Vijender Gupta, Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Bajpai and Jitender Mahajan said that a special sitting of the Delhi Legislative Assembly was not called by the Speaker despite a statement made before the Delhi High Court in an earlier round of litigation.
“This is a clear violation of the statement/undertaking given by the Senior Counsel on behalf of the GNCTD before this Hon’ble Court for which the petitioners reserve their rights to move contempt of court if advised,” it said.
Last week, the Delhi HC disposed of BJP legislators’ plea seeking direction to the city government to forward CAG reports to the Lt. Governor (L-G) after it was told that L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the 14 CAG reports forwarded by Chief Minister Atishi.
It noted that CM Atishi, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, will forward within 2-3 days these approved reports to the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, who in turn, will promptly take a call on holding a special session for laying down the CAG reports.
The petition had said that the CAG is a “constitutional watchdog” created with the objective of providing independent and credible assurance to the public, the legislature and the executive that the public funds are being collected and used effectively and efficiently.
–IANS
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