India
HC fines NDMC for delay in reply
New Delhi | Wednesday, May 14 2008 IST
Delhi High Court today imposed a fine of Rs 5000 on NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council)for having failed to reply to allegations of gross misuse of public funds, despite issuing several notices to them. A bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Murlidhar, while imposing the fine, directed them to file a reply by May 21. The court said, ''It is a serious matter of gross misuse of public funds by the council members and the NDMC despite several chances, is not replying in the matter.'' The Court had earlier on January 3, directed them to file their reply within three weeks but it failed to do so. The court gave them three more opportunities to file their reply but every time they failed and sought more time. On March 5, the court gave a last opportunity to the NDMC standing council but yet again they failed. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by lawyer Monica Arora stating that two members out of the 11 member Council were drawing more than Rs 2 lakh per month as allowances which are not permissible under any act of NDMC. The Court held that by no stretch of imagination allowance can mean house, staff, car, office and petrol since only money is supposed to be the allowance. The Court has asked NDMC to reply by May 21 as to under what provisions are they disbursing such facilities to their members. Ms Arora, in her submission, said that out of the 11 members of NDMC, 6 are permanent government employees, 3 are local MLAs and two members have been nominated by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the chairman of NDMC. However, no allegations have been levelled against her in the petition. -- (UNI) -- 14DI61.xml
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