Delhi High Court criticises Delhi govt for delays in funding judicial residences

New Delhi: Delhi High Court has censured Delhi govt for not ensuring funds to build official residences for district judiciary officials.
In a recent hearing, a bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said any laxity or even slackness on the part of govt officials or any authority in implementing the directions of Supreme Court, passed in this regard, couldn't be appreciated.
"Why is this matter not a priority for the govt? We don't appreciate lip service. Things should be seen on the ground and don't just push us against the wall. Don't do that. Make your officers understand this," the bench told Delhi govt's counsel.
It added that the conduct was not appreciable. "Having regard to the nature of work and duties being performed by the judicial officers as underscored by Supreme Court, it is needless to remind the officers of the state govt and all other authorities and bodies that providing adequate official accommodation to judicial officers has to be necessarily a priority for all," the court added.
It was hearing two petitions, one filed by Judicial Service Association, which sought a direction to expedite the availability of govt residential homes to Delhi judicial service officers and Delhi higher judicial services officers. The members of the district judiciary filed the petition owing to a shortfall of residential flats.
HC noted that while the total sanctioned strength of judicial officers was 897, the number of available flats was 348. The court was informed that the CBD ground land in Shahdara was allotted but the non-release of funds had stalled the residential project. The counsel for Delhi Development Authority, however, said the allotted land was not suitable.
HC said though it was informed that a meeting of officials concerned was scheduled for Dec 10, it was not held. Delhi govt's counsel said after Dec 10, the meeting could not be held due to the assembly elections, prompting the court to point out that at least a month had passed since the polls got over.
"We have been informed that as far as the residential complex at Dwarka is concerned, the proposal is years old, and even for this project, no decision has been taken to ensure the finances," HC said.
The court granted three more weeks to govt to take steps for the sanction and release of funds for the pending projects and posted the matter on April 3.