The Delhi High Court in the case Sales Tax Bar Association (Regd) v. Union of India observed and has pulled up the Delhi Government over delay in completing the construction work of chambers for members of the Sales Tax Bar Association.
The court observed in the case that nothing concrete has been done for the last 12 years.
The bench headed by Justice Subramonium Prasad in the case observed and has directed Delhi Government’s Chief Secretary to give a road map as to by when the construction work will be completed.
The court stated that the order passed by the said court cannot be permitted to be flouted with impunity. Nothing concrete has been done for the last 12 years.
The bench of Justice Prasad was dealing with the petition moved by Sales Tax Bar Association against the non-completion of construction work after the court in 2011 gave a road map for constructing a building to house lawyers chambers and offices of the Association’s members.
The court in its order dated January 12, 2011 stated that the Delhi Government to award the construction work to the Construction Agency after necessary approvals and directed that the same shall be completed within the given time-frame and sanctioned cost and as per CPWD Manual.
The bench of Justice Prasad stated that the court has expressed its anguish on more than one occasion regarding the ‘complete inaction’ on the part of the Delhi Government to implement judicial orders on the issue.
Further, the court noted that in May last year, it has been directed the relevant authorities to hold a meeting to ensure implementation of its 2011 order, while making it clear that no further delay will be condoned.
Last year, the court had requested the Delhi Government’s Chief Secretary to give a road map for implementation of the order.
The court stated that as per the report filed by the authorities on January 02 that the construction of chambers would take a ‘fair amount of time’ and a plan for accommodation may be made in the interregnum, while the construction process is ongoing.
It has also been stated by the court that the Status Report does not indicate as to whether the directions passed by this Court vide Order dated May 29, 2023 have been complied with or not. Thus, the Status Report rather indicates that the Order dated 29.05.2023 has not been complied with.
Adding to it, the court stated that the GNCTD is contemplating a construction of a twin tower on the land and the same would require a complete change of plan. Thus, the said Status Report indicated that the State is not acting in accordance with the directions passed by this Court in 2011 rather it is acting contrary to the directions of the Court.
The court requested the Special Commissioner of DTT and Special Secretary of PwD to be present in court.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on January 12, 2024.