Centre pressuring officers to stall projects in Delhi: Manish Sisodia

New Delhi, July 18: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday hit out at the Centre for “defying” the Supreme Court orders and pressuring officers working with the Delhi government to stall its projects. Sisodia told the media that most IAS officers were refusing to take orders from the Delhi government despite the Supreme Court ruling. “It is very clear that they have instructions from the Centre and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to stall the projects of public welfare in Delhi. By doing this, the Centre is not only killing the democratic and federal structure of the country but is also defying the orders of the apex court,” he said.

The Supreme Court on July 4 ruled that the Lt. Governor in Delhi had powers only in three areas: police, land and public order. The powers relating to all the other subjects lie with the elected government of Delhi. “Even after such clear orders, the Centre through IAS officers is openly defying them,” Sisodia said. “The Transport Secretary refused to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against a Delhi High Court order which stayed the purchase of 2,000 buses for Delhi,” said Sisodia. “Delhi is short of buses and needs them as soon as possible. Stalling the process is not only anti-people but also a clear violation of the Supreme Court order,” Sisodia said.

The same way, he said, the Managing Director of the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corp (DSIIDC) refused to carry out the developmental works in the unauthorized colonies in Delhi. Sisodia also suspected a conspiracy over not letting the lawyer’s community appear for the Delhi government. (IANS)