No e-library access for PPs since 2013, HC calls Finance Secy

Delhi High Court today took the Delhi government to task for delaying public prosecutors' access to electronic legal library since 2013 despite its orders to expedite it and sought the presence of its Finance Secretary on July 15 to explain.
Expressing displeasure over the government's delay in renewing subscription to the legal e-library, access to which had expired in September 2013, a special bench of justices Kailash Gambhir and Sunita Gupta directed the Delhi Finance Secretary to bring all the relevant records on the next date.
It issued the direction after observing that the city government has not explained in its affidavit why subscription for renewal of 'manupatra', a legal e-library, has not been paid till date and what was coming in the way of the Finance Department giving clearance.

The court also noted that on March 27 it had ordered the government to expedite the renewal, failing which the Finance Secretary was to have been present in court.
"However, Finance Secretary is not present and no officer from Finance Department is also present to explain the absence. Let Finance Secretary be present in court with relevant records to explain why there is so much delay in renewal of the subscription," the bench said.
Advocate Raman Duggal, appearing for Delhi government, told the court that the file for renewal of subscription was pending with the Finance Department.

He also said that approval has been received for renewing subscription for half of the public prosecutors (PPs).

This submission was opposed by senior advocate and amicus curiae Rajiv K Virmani, who said providing access to e-library to only half of the PPs was unacceptable.
On the issue of appointment of 65 Assistant Public Prosecutors (APPs), the court directed Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to carry out the exercise within the time frame provided by it and not go beyond that.