There Should Be Uniform, Consistent Policy On Travel Across Delhi-NCR : SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all three stakeholder State governments in the National Capital Region (NCR) to come together and hold a meeting along with the Centre to devise a common plan for the regulation of movement of individuals within NCR.

Agreeing that people are suffering due to contradictory policies of the Governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, the Bench comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul and MR Shah was of the opinion that there should be only one consolidated policy to govern movement across NCR.

At the outset, senior advocate Mukul Talwar, appearing for the petitioner, identified the hardships caused to the common man across NCR due to the contradictory policies of the various States and the constant altering thereof.

Agreeing with the petitioner, Justice SK Kaul observed that "there should be a consistent policy for the NCR region."

Advocate Anil Grover then informed the Court that the state of Haryana had lifted all restrictions.

The Centre, however stated that this was a decision for States to take, and the Central Government was not involved.

Accordingly, the Bench stated that they would ask the Centre to convene a meeting of the States, for them to endeavour to find a common programme for interstate movement.

"One policy, one path and one portal is required. Given the facts of the present case, all state officials shall endeavour to find out a common program and portal for inter-state movement, in the NCR region", ordered the Bench.

The concerned States have been granted a period of one week to come to a decision on the same.

The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, was asked to seek instructions from the Centre and ensure the meeting is convened in compliance.

"Recommendation has been given that there should be one pass recognized in NCR, recognized in all states. SG will take instructions on this and a meeting will be convened to decide a common portal for interstate movement in NCR region", recorded Justice Bhushan in his order.

The order came in a PIL, filed by advocates Anindita Mitra and Aman Bhalla, earlier last month. The plea challenges the constitutionality of the decisions of three administrations in restricting movement of individuals for permissible activities and the necessity of applying for passes for each of these states on various State government portals.