High Court slams SDMC for miserable state of cleanliness

Delhi High Court on Wednesday slammed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) for failing to keep Lajpat Nagar clean despite a direction from the body. 

The court said the civic body was not concerned about the people. “You are right. They have not done anything, not doing anything and will not do anything,” said a Bench of justices Badar <g data-gr-id="20">Durrez</g> Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva. 

The observation was made in response to an NGO’s claim that SDMC has not done anything for cleanliness in Lajpat Nagar despite the court’s direction on March 18. The NGO’s  representative <g data-gr-id="21">B B</g> Sharan told the court that there were “deficiencies” in the working of the municipality as it had not even properly cleaned the drains full with rubble.

Sharan suggested sending the errant officials of SDMC to jail, in response to which the court said: “Maybe we will”. The court noted that SDMC till date has not filed a “comprehensive” affidavit and directed the Corporation to do so “positively” before the next date of hearing on May 20. 

It also noted that once monsoon starts, the problem of waterlogging would also begin. The proxy 

counsel appearing on behalf of SDMC said no affidavit was filed due to <g data-gr-id="24">ongoing</g> strike by High Court lawyers.