Govt to give names of non-compliant babus to SC on Monday

The Delhi government on Friday said it will submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Monday naming officials who have been “defying” the city administration’s orders with specific instances of non-compliance.

The decision was taken on a day the apex court questioned the city government’s assertion that babus were not cooperating in checking vector-borne diseases.

“The government will name officers not following its orders in the affidavit to be submitted on Monday. It will also provide specific instances where officers are defying directions of the elected government at the behest of Lt-Governor Najeeb Jung,” a source said.

The Supreme Court on Friday took strong exception of Delhi Health minister Satyendar Jain’s allegation, through an affidavit, that officials were not cooperating and taking responsibility to check vector-borne disease like dengue and chikungunya in the National capital.

The Court asked the governemnt counsel to give names and evidence of those officials by October 3.

“You have made a serious allegation in your affidavit. Who are the officials disobeying you? People in Delhi are suffering from dengue and chikungunya. You cannot treat them like this,” a Bench headed by Justices M B Lokur said.

On September 26, the Apex Court had sought response from Delhi government on steps being taken to check vector-borne diseases dengue and chikungunya in the national capital.

“Give the names and evidences of the officials who have been disobeying by Monday. It is a serious matter,” the bench told the counsel appearing for Delhi government.

The counsel sought some time to file the names and evidences and said he would file the names of officials who were not cooperating in a sealed cover.

To this, the Bench said “since you have made the allegation on affidavit, the names and evidences of officials should not be filed in sealed cover”.

Senior advocate Ajit Sinha appearing for Lieutenant Governor refuted the charge that officials were not cooperating to fight the diseases as alleged by the Delhi Health Minister.

On September 26, Centre told the Apex Court that it was the duty of Delhi government to ensure that the national capital remained clean and free from diseases like chikungunya and dengue.