SC Gives Ultimatum to Delhi Govt Over RRTS Funding, Warns Attachment of Ad Budget

SC Gives Ultimatum to Delhi Govt Over RRTS Funding, Warns Attachment of Ad Budget

The Supreme Court on Tuesday hit out the Delhi government over not releasing funds for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project to National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

While hearing the case, Justice Kaul of the Supreme Court said: “Why has [Delhi govt] not complied? I told you the other day that I’ll stay your advertising budget. I’ll attach it and take it here.”

The court further added: “If such national projects are affected, and if the money is being spent on advertisement, we would be inclined to ask the money to be directed to the infrastructure.”

Supreme Court directed that Delhi government’s fund meant for advertisement be transferred for the project, however, kept this order in abeyance for a period of one week and said if the funds are not transferred, the order will come into operation. The Supreme Court had earlier slammed the Delhi government for expressing its inability to contribute funds for construction of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project and directed it to furnish details of funds spent on advertisements in the last three financial years.The funds were meant for construction of the RRTS stretch that will connect the national capital with Rajasthan and Haryana. A bench comprising Justice S K Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia had directed the AAP government to file an affidavit enumerating details of funds within two weeks.

The direction came after the counsel for the Delhi government told the bench that there was paucity of funds and expressed inability to provide monetary assistance.