The Delhi high court on Thursday asked the lieutenant-governor and the AAP government to ensure that the municipal bodies are given funds in terms of the recommendations made in the Third Finance Commission for the national capital.
“The L-G and the government shall ensure that the recommendations made by the Fourth Finance Commission along with the explanatory memorandum on action taken be laid before the next Assembly session without fail,” the court said.
“The steps stated to have been initiated for constitution of the Fifth Finance Commission for National Capital Territory of Delhi shall be concluded at the earliest and respondents No 1 and 2 (LG and Delhi government) shall ensure that Commission in accordance with the provisions of Delhi Finance Commission Act, is constituted within eight weeks from Thursday,” the court added.
Meanwhile, East Delhi mayor Harsh Malhotra, in a letter, has urged chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to implement recommendations of fourth Delhi Finance Commission and transfer funds to help the corporation overcome the financial crisis. A copy of the letter has also been marked to Union home minister Rajnath Singh and lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung.
The mayor added that the government will be “responsible” for any “untoward incident” arising out of non-payment of salaries to employees.
Mr Malhotra stated that the corporation needs funds to the tune of Rs 1,525 crore for payment of salaries of municipal employees.
In absence of adequate funds, Rs 1,525 crore is due to be paid on account of salaries of the employees, including 60 per cent sanitation workers that have not been paid since October 2015. Pension has also not been paid since last five months, the letter read.
“The human and social dimensions of non-payment of salary are now impacting core municipal functions of sanitation, primary health and primary education which would have far reaching consequences,” Mr Malhotra said.
“If due to non-payment of salary any mishap occurs, the Delhi government will be responsible,” he warned.
