Will finance panel recommendations be tabled in Delhi assembly, HC asks

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the city government to inform it whether it would table in the upcoming assembly session the 4th Finance Commission recommendations on improving the financial condition of civic bodies.

Justice R.S. Endlaw asked the city government to apprise the court on the issue after the government counsel said it (government) may table the recommendation in the next session.

"Take instruction on whether you (Delhi government) will place the 4th Finance Commission recommendation in the upcoming assembly session," the court asked the government, and posted the matter for October 7.

Advocate Sanjay Poddar told the court: "Delhi government has received comments from various stakeholders to the recommendations made by the 4th Finance Commission.

"In view of the comments, recommendations made by the commission were examined and draft cabinet note was approved by the competent authority. The government is planning to table the recommendation in the upcoming session."

The court was hearing a plea filed by BJP legislator Vijender Gupta seeking direction to the Delhi government to "immediately implement" the recommendations of the 4th Finance Commission of Delhi which was constituted in 2009 to decide the share of municipal corporations in the total revenue of the capital.

The panel had filed its report in 2013 which was yet to be implemented, the plea said.

Gupta contended that there must be an equitable distribution of funds between the government and civic agencies to ensure financial independence and proper functioning of municipal corporations.

The plea said inaction by the Delhi government on non-implementation of the commission report amounted to non-exercise of the constitutional duty placed on it and has further caused undue hardship to the municipal corporations due to lack of funds.