Don’t make everything a prestige issue, Supreme Court advises LG on Delhi government’s Farishte scheme
The tussle between Kejriwal government and LG over schemes in Delhi is not a new thing. Many times the matter has even reached the Supreme Court. In this sequence, the Supreme Court gave advice to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Amid the hearing related to the Delhi government’s Farishte case, the apex court on Friday asked the LG not to make all issues ‘a matter of prestige’. The court clearly said that if their (Delhi government) allegations (related to the Farishte scheme) are found true then it could prove costly. Delhi government alleges that LG is taking the court order lightly. Farishte is a welfare scheme launched by the AAP government to provide free treatment in road accident cases.
Is LG becoming an obstacle in implementing the plan?
Delhi government alleges that the LG and officials are creating obstacles in the implementation of the Farishte scheme. Also, funds are not being released for this scheme. Delhi government filed a petition against the LG in the apex court. On this the court issued a notice to the LG. Responding to the notice, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain appeared for the LG. He told the bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Sandeep Mehta that the LG had no involvement in the scheme. He said that it is being regulated by the society headed by the Health Minister. Jain informed the bench that the funds have now been released after the society meeting. Also, the government has unnecessarily dragged LG into the controversy.
‘Don’t make it an issue of reputation’
Responding to Jain’s plea, the bench told him, “Tell your LG not to make every matter a prestige issue.” Continuing his point, Jain said that this is not a case of Council of Ministers versus LG as stated in the petition. He further said that by filing the petition and making allegations against the LG in a matter which is not as important as the hue and cry being created, the court then asked Jain to give his statement under oath and in the petition. Asked to file an affidavit refuting the allegations, the bench said, “If we find out that the LG is trying to frame us, we will impose a penalty. Then we will have to take action in this regard.”
What is Delhi government saying?
The Delhi government alleged in its petition that the scheme falls under the ambit of health services, over which the elected government has jurisdiction and not the LG. In such a situation, officials should follow the instructions of the government. The petition said that people are dying on the streets due to lack of timely and effective treatment because the bureaucrats have stopped the scheme.
