HC seeks LG, Delhi govt’s reply on funding civic bodies

The High Court here on Wednesday sought response from the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor on BJP MLA Vijender Gupta’s plea seeking direction for financial allocation to the three Municipal Corporations in the national Capital.

Justice VP Vaish granted four weeks time to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government and LG Najeeb Jung to file their responses after they failed to file <g data-gr-id="17">reply</g>. The court now posted the matter for September 24.

The plea, filed by MLA Gupta, also sought direction for the Delhi government to “immediately implement” the report of 4th Finance Commission of Delhi which was constituted in 2009 to decide the share of municipal corporations in the total revenue of Delhi. The commission had filed its report in 2013 which is yet to be implemented, it said. 

Gupta contended that there must be an equitable distribution of funds between the government and civic agencies to ensure financial independence and proper functioning of municipal corporations.

The plea said inaction of the Delhi government on non-implementation of 4th Finance Commission report amounted to non-exercise of the Constitutional duty placed on it and has caused undue hardship to the municipal corporations.