When will 4th Fin Com recommendations be tabled: HC asks govt

The Delhi High Court today asked AAP government to inform it whether the 4th Finance Commission recommendations to improve the financial health of civic bodies would be tabled in the next assembly session.
"Take instruction on whether you (Delhi government) will place the 4th Finance Commission recommendation in the next assembly session," Justice R S Endlaw said.
The court posed the query after the Delhi government said the recommendations of the Commission have been examined and approved by the competent authority and were likely to be placed before the assembly.
"Make it a definite thing and say whether you will do it this session or not" and inform the court by the next date of hearing on October 7, the judge said.

In his response, senior advocate Sanjay Poddar, appearing for Delhi government, said "this is the hope I express".
The AAP government was responding to a plea by BJP leader Vijender Gupta seeking implementation of the recommendations of the 4th Delhi Finance Commission to improve the financial health of the civic bodies in the national capital.

Over the delay in filing their reply, advocate Mukul Singh and Neeraj, appearing for Gupta, said they have not filed their response since May and there is complete mess in Delhi due to non-release of the funds to the municipal bodies.
Meanwhile, central government standing counsel Ripudaman Bhardwaj submitted that the Centre need not file its response as the funds have to be released by the Delhi government.

Delhi government said in their affidavit that "Commission of Delhi are required to be implemented not only by them but also by the Government of India, as well as other stakeholders including Delhi Development Authority (DDA)...
"They (Delhi government) have received comments from various stakeholders to the recommendations made by the 4th Finance Commission. In view of the comments, recommendations made of the Commission were examined and draft cabinet note was approved by the competent authority", the affidavit said.