Delhi HC Informed by Atishi-led Government on Forwarding CAG Reports to L-G
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New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) The city administration informed the Delhi High Court on Thursday that Chief Minister Atishi has transmitted reports compiled by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G).
A bench led by Justice Sanjeev Narula was reviewing a petition submitted by BJP legislators who are requesting a directive for the Delhi government to submit 12 CAG reports to L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena.
Justice Narula's bench has scheduled the case for further hearing on December 16 after the counsel representing the L-G indicated that the Raj Bhavan had received some of the reports late on Wednesday.
In its affidavit, the Finance Department stated that the reports in question are not pending with them but are currently with the office of Chief Minister Atishi, who also serves as the Finance Minister.
Previously, on October 29, the Delhi High Court agreed to look into the issue and issued a notice to the Delhi government, the office of the Legislative Assembly Speaker, the L-G, CAG, and the Accountant General (Audit), Delhi.
The petition asserted that reports from the CAG concerning pollution and regulations related to alcohol had not been presented to the L-G by the Finance Ministry and remain unresolved with Chief Minister Atishi, who also oversees the Finance portfolio.
"Despite the L-G's repeated requests and constitutional responsibility, these reports were not delivered to the L-G, thus preventing them from being tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly," stated the petition submitted by BJP MLAs Vijender Gupta, Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Bajpai, and Jitender Mahajan.
The petition also mentioned that Opposition leaders made every effort to present the CAG reports during the Vidhan Sabha session held on September 26-27 after a lengthy interval, yet no action was taken to facilitate the tabling of those reports.
Furthermore, the petition indicated that this intentional withholding of essential information not only infringes on democratic principles but also obstructs proper examination of government actions and expenditures, raising significant concerns regarding the government's financial integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Additionally, it argued that the delay is not simply a procedural mistake but a grave infringement of constitutional duties, as the CAG has been sending audit reports for presentation before the Delhi Assembly.
It emphasized that the CAG functions as a "constitutional watchdog", established to provide independent and trustworthy assurance to the public, the legislature, and the executive that public funds are being gathered and utilized effectively and efficiently.
