Delhi LG VK Saxena Criticizes AAP Government for Delaying Important Reports
New Delhi, August 16: Delhi Lieutenant General VK Saxena has raised concerns about the AAP government’s delay in presenting 11 Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reports in the Delhi Assembly. According to an official release, these reports cover various critical areas such as State Finances, Pollution Mitigation, Regulation and Supply of Liquor, Appropriation Accounts, Public Sector Units (PSUs), and social and general sectors.
The reports have been pending with Finance Minister Atishi Marlena, with some dating back to 2022. One significant report on the ‘Performance Audit on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi’ for the period 2017-18 to 2021-22 has been pending since April 2024. This report is particularly important due to the AAP Government’s controversial and failed Excise Policy, which was later scrapped amid corruption charges.
On July 18, 2024, the Controller of Accounts, GNCTD, informed the LG Secretariat about the pending reports. LG Saxena has written to Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, urging them to ensure these reports are tabled in the Assembly promptly.
As per the official note, it is a constitutional mandate to present these CAG reports to ensure democratic accountability. The delay in presenting these reports undermines the scrutiny by the Legislative Assembly and the public, amounting to a gross dereliction of constitutional obligations by the Delhi Government.
Previously, other CAG reports, including those on the performance of Delhi Jal Board and private power discoms, were also delayed by the AAP Government, prompting similar concerns from the LG.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi LG -: Delhi LG stands for Delhi Lieutenant Governor. He is like a special officer who helps in governing Delhi, which is the capital city of India.
VK Saxena -: VK Saxena is the name of the current Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. He is responsible for overseeing the administration of Delhi.
AAP Government -: AAP stands for Aam Aadmi Party. It is a political party in India, and it is currently in charge of the government in Delhi.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) -: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, or CAG, is an important official who checks how the government spends money and makes sure it is done properly.
Delhi Assembly -: The Delhi Assembly is a group of elected representatives who make laws and decisions for Delhi. It is like a big meeting where important issues are discussed.
Finance Minister Atishi Marlena -: Atishi Marlena is the Finance Minister of Delhi. She is responsible for managing the money and finances of the Delhi government.
State Finances -: State Finances refer to the money that the state government earns and spends. It includes things like taxes, salaries, and development projects.
Pollution Mitigation -: Pollution Mitigation means taking steps to reduce pollution. This can include actions like planting trees, reducing car emissions, and cleaning rivers.
Ram Niwas Goel -: Ram Niwas Goel is the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. He is like the head of the assembly meetings and makes sure everything runs smoothly.
Arvind Kejriwal -: Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi. He is the head of the Delhi government and makes important decisions for the city.
Constitutional mandate -: A constitutional mandate is a rule or requirement that is written in the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land. It means something must be done according to the law.
Democratic accountability -: Democratic accountability means that the government must explain its actions and decisions to the people. It ensures that leaders are responsible and answerable to the citizens.
