The Supreme Court on Friday sought Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s affidavit on the Farishtey scheme, warning the AAP government that it would impose exemplary costs if it is found out that the Health Minister had taken the court for a ride.
The apex court was hearing a petition lodged by the Delhi government against the LG, alleging that due to stoppage of funds for the scheme for the last one year, unpaid dues of Rs 7.17 crore payable to private hospitals had mounted. In its petition, the Delhi government urged for immediate disbursement of funds for its flagship scheme. It alleged that the funds were stopped after the Centre’s new law on the control of services in the national capital.
During the hearing, the top court was informed that LG VK Saxena is not involved in the scheme extending cashless medical treatment for road accident victims. A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a writ petition lodged by the Government of National Capital of Delhi (GNCTD) asking the court to intervene in the prolonged suspension of the Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme.
Appearing for Delhi LG, Senior Advocate Sanjay Jain contended that the issue was incorrectly being depicted as a dispute between two wings of the government: the lieutenant governor and the council of ministers. He added that this was not a council of ministers versus lieutenant governor issue and that the scheme was governed by a society which has in a recent meeting decided to release funds.
In response to this, Justice BR Gavai said that they will dispose of the petition if the funds have been resolved to be released. However, Justice Gavai asked Delhi LG to file an affidavit stating that they are going to release the funds. He also remarked that the lieutenant governor should not make every issue a prestige issue.
Replying, Senior Advocate Sanjay Jain said that the lieutenant governor was not involved at all in the matter. He expressed that he was very surprised that the matter was brought to the court. He claimed that the petitioner has used this honourable court’s forum to agitate something. He named this to be a classic case of a storm in a teacup. On this, Justice Gavai responded that they will impose exemplary costs if they find that the minister has taken the court for a ride.
Meanwhile, Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who was representing the Delhi government urged the judges to make these observations after being apprised of their version of event, placed on oath.