Delhi High Court has once again strongly reprimanded Delhi Government and MCD for not providing textbooks to more than 2 lakh students. The Delhi High Court directed the MCD Commissioner to distribute books, uniforms and stationery to children in MCD schools irrespective of the maximum budget of Rs 5 crore. This expenditure will be audited later. The High Court said that Kejriwal’s personal decision to remain CM despite his arrest does not mean that the fundamental rights of small children will be trampled if he is not available.
The court said that Kejriwal’s stay in jail cannot come in the way of children getting their free text books, stationery and desks. The court also said that national interest and public interest demand that no person holding the post of CM should remain incommunicado or absent for a long or indefinite period. The High Court said in the order that in a busy capital like Delhi, the post of CM is not a formal one and it is a post where the holder has to be available 24*7. The High Court has ordered the MCD Commissioner to immediately release the necessary funds to meet the said obligations without being constrained by the expenditure limit.
During the hearing of the case, the court had expressed its displeasure and said that the present government of Delhi is only interested in the use of power. The court had reprimanded Kejriwal and his ministers. Along with this, the court had strongly criticized Delhi government minister Saurabh Bhardwaj. Delhi High Court had said about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that by not resigning despite the arrest, Arvind Kejriwal has given priority to personal interests over national interest. Let us tell you that in the PIL filed in the Delhi High Court, it was alleged that due to the mutual tussle between the Municipal Corporation, the students studying in MCD schools have not been able to get books yet, and they are forced to study in tin sheds.
The counsel appearing for the Delhi government had said that he had received instructions from Saurabh Bhardwaj, who is currently in custody, that the consent of the Chief Minister would be required to delegate powers to an appropriate authority in the absence of the MCD Standing Committee. Regarding Saurabh Bhardwaj, the High Court said that he has turned a blind eye to the plight of the students and is shedding crocodile tears. The court said that it is not concerned whether the students are going to school or not. He doesn’t have books. They are only interested in power, their interest is only in power, here the arrogance of power is at its peak.
On the arguments of the Delhi government’s lawyer, the court had said that you had said that the government will continue despite the Chief Minister being in custody, you are forcing us to go on the path where we do not want to go. The High Court had said that we have said this many times in the PILs that came before us, but this is the decision of your administration. If you want us to comment on this, we will consider it.
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