NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, regarding its financial commitment to the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS (OTC:RRTS)) project. The court has mandated that the government must allocate ₹415 crore ($51 million) by November 28 or risk having the amount deducted from its advertising budget.
In a session today, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia highlighted the critical nature of the RRTS project in reducing travel times and curbing pollution between Delhi and Meerut. The court's directive comes after senior advocates Dr. Singhvi and Meenakshi Arora defended the government's expenditure, citing budget constraints for not meeting its promises to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
The Supreme Court's dissatisfaction with the government's unfulfilled obligations is not new. Back in July 2023, during a hearing on fiscal deficits attributed to GST scheme changes by the BJP central government, the court had criticized AAP for allocating ₹1,100 crore ($136 million) on advertising rather than funding vital infrastructure projects like the RRTS.
The court has also demanded an affidavit from the Delhi government detailing its advertising spending. This move underscores the judiciary's intent to scrutinize the government's budgetary priorities and ensure that essential projects are not sidelined.
The ultimatum set forth by the Supreme Court aims to expedite progress on the RRTS project, which is seen as a significant step towards improving connectivity and environmental conditions in the National Capital Region.
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