SC tells Centre, Delhi to resolve issues

Apex court refuses to interfere in matters of governance

The Supreme Court on Monday suggested that the Centre and the Delhi government resolve their issues on governance by sitting across the table, saying a court's order would not come to help in their ongoing tussle.

The court said it was aware of the situation and reminded both governments that the people would pass their verdict at the appropriate time after judging their performance.

“We know there are issues concerning governance and administration in Delhi, and that there are people who are not agreeing upon a lot of things. Newspapers are also full of such items everyday. These are the people who need to sit across the table and talk,” said a bench of Justices T S Thakur and V Gopala Gowda.

The Delhi government is also in a long-running confrontation with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for PIL petitioner Tapesh Bagati, contended that there were glaring instances of lack of governance in the national capital region, resulting in failure on the part of the administration in Delhi to cater to the need of even basic amenities such as water, health, education, electricity and sanitation.

He urged the court to direct the central as well as Delhi governments to act in a manner that people did not suffer owing to the standoff.

“A court's direction cannot become 'amrit dhara' (flow of nectar), resolving everything by one order. If there is deficit in governance, people will pass their judgment at the appropriate time. People will ultimately judge them by their performance,” said the bench, allowing the petitioner to withdraw his plea.