The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting an increase in the funds allocated to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) councillors. The plea, which sought to boost each councillor’s budget to at least Rs 15 crore for welfare activities in the capital, was ultimately withdrawn by the petitioner.
Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed their reluctance to intervene in matters they deemed more appropriate for legislative discussion. During the session, the bench emphasized, “The forum where you will agitate your grievance is before the House. This issue has to be raised in the House. Courts are not the appropriate forum for this issue.”
The petitioner, Sonali, an MCD councillor from the Sidhartha Nagar ward, faced questions from the court on the suitability of the judiciary to resolve budgetary allocations. Chief Justice Manmohan pointed out the limitations of the court’s role in budget matters, remarking humorously, “I am not getting the budget for the Delhi High Court. Do you think I can get that for this?”
The PIL highlighted concerns over the current funding levels, arguing that they were inadequate for councillors to fulfill their statutory duties effectively. The lack of funds, according to the petition, led to the deterioration of essential public services like park maintenance, school repairs, and roadworks, severely affecting the quality of life for Delhi’s residents.
Additionally, the plea called for the Delhi government and the MCD to establish a mechanism to periodically enhance the funds based on the needs of the public, citing violations of the right to life under Article 21 and the right to education under Article 21A of the Constitution due to inadequate public facilities maintenance.
