delhi-hc-questions-aap-over-delay-in-tabling-cag-report

The Delhi High Court has strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government for its handling of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report. The court expressed concern over the apparent delays in presenting the report and questioned the government’s intentions.

 

Justice Sachin Datta, presiding over the matter, said that the government's actions suggested an attempt to avoid convening an Assembly session to delay the tabling of the CAG report. The court noted that the government's behaviour raised doubts about its motives and transparency in the process.

 

The court emphasised that the government should have promptly sent the reports to the Speaker and initiated a discussion in the Assembly. It highlighted that the delay in forwarding the reports to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena was another factor that cast doubt on the government’s intentions.

 

In its defence, the AAP government questioned the practicality of convening an Assembly session with elections so close. The court is set to hear detailed arguments later in the day.

 

The issue has drawn significant attention, particularly as it coincides with allegations of irregularities in major projects and policies.

 

During a previous hearing, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat argued that tabling the CAG reports would have little purpose as the Assembly’s tenure is set to end in February. This stance was in response to a petition by seven BJP MLAs demanding that the reports be presented in the Assembly.

 

The controversy intensified after details from a leaked CAG report emerged, revealing serious irregularities in various government initiatives. One of the key issues highlighted was the significant cost escalation in the renovation of the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence.

 

Initially approved at ₹7.61 cr in 2020, the project’s cost ballooned to ₹33.66 cr by April 2022, representing a 342 pc increase over the original estimate.

 

Another major concern raised in the report was the revenue loss of ₹2,026 cr due to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. The findings have sparked heated debates among political parties and raised questions about the financial management of the Delhi government.