The Supreme Court on Monday was apprised by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) that it would allocate budgetary provisions for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Project,
The Bench of Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia came down heavily on the Delhi government for spending Rs 1100 crore on advertisements.
The Bench noted that if Rs 1100 crore could be spent for advertisement in the past three financial years, contributions could certainly be made for infrastructure projects.
The Apex Court recorded in its order that it was ‘constrained’ to direct the Delhi government in its previous order to file an affidavit regarding funds used for advertisements in the last three financial years.
The order was issued on account of the fact that the Delhi Government had thrown its hand up for contributing their proportionate amount, noted the Apex Court.
Appearing for Delhi government, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi apprised the Court today about the affidavit filed by the Delhi government.
As per the affidavit, the AAP-led government in Delhi had spent around Rs 1073 crore on advertisement in the past three years.
The top court of the country then told the counsel that the Delhi government should either allocate budgetary provisions for the RRTS project or it would attach the advertisement budget of GNCTD.
The Senior Advocate assured the top court of the country that the payment would be made.
However, it sought permission for making the payment in installments spread over a reasonable period of time.
The Apex Court then observed that the payment schedule itself was spread over a period of time.
Singhvi said the government would make budgetary provision for the concerned projects according to the schedule laid down.
The Apex Court accepted the government’s statement and passed a direction regarding payment of the overdue amount.
(Case title: MC Mehta vs UoI and Ors)