The Delhi High Court was informed on Monday that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) has approved the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports on liquor duty, pollution, and finance, and has called for an immediate special sitting of the Delhi Assembly. This development came as part of a petition by Delhi’s opposition leaders who demanded that the CAG reports be presented to the assembly as required by constitutional obligations.
During the proceedings, the court reviewed an additional affidavit from the LG’s office, which accused the Delhi Chief Minister, who also serves as the Finance Minister, of causing significant delays in handling these reports. The affidavit emphasized that these delays deprived both the assembly and the public of the opportunity to scrutinize the government’s executive actions thoroughly.
Justice Sanjeev Narula was informed that the LG had acted swiftly, approving the reports within 48 hours of their receipt, to expedite their discussion in the assembly. The counsel representing the LG highlighted that 14 reports had been unduly delayed by the Finance Minister’s office and were only forwarded after an extended period.
The assembly session, which had concluded on December 4, might be reconvened as the speaker holds the prerogative to call the assembly back into session. According to the affidavit, the LG has directed that these reports be laid on the table of the legislative assembly without further delay, to ensure compliance with constitutional mandates.
The court noted that the core issue raised by the petition appeared to be addressed with these developments and suggested that further actions should follow the established legislative procedures. Consequently, the proceedings were closed, with the court ordering that the grievance regarding the mandate to the finance ministry was now resolved.
