'Nothing Concrete Done For 12 Yrs': High Court Pulls Up Delhi Govt Over Delay In Constructing Sales Tax Bar Association's Chamber Block

The Delhi High Court has recently pulled up the Delhi Government over delay in completing the construction work of chambers for members of the Sales Tax Bar Association, observing that nothing concrete has been done for the last 12 years.

Justice Subramonium Prasad directed Delhi Government's Chief Secretary to give a road map as to by when the construction work will be completed.

“Orders of this Court cannot be permitted to be flouted with impunity. Nothing concrete has been done for the last 12 years,” the court said.

Justice Prasad was dealing with a plea 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.

On January 12, 2011, the court had ordered 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.

On January 04, Justice Prasad said 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.

The court further noted that in May last year, it had 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.

Furthermore, in September last year, the court had requested Delhi Government's Chief Secretary to give a road map for implementation of the order.

As per the status report filed by the authorities on January 02, it was stated that 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.

Expressing displeasure over the status report, the court said:

“The Status Report does not indicate as to whether the directions passed by this Court vide Order dated 29.05.2023 have been complied with or not. The Status Report rather indicates that the Order dated 29.05.2023 has not been complied with.”

It added: “It is 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. This Status Report indicates 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.”

While listing the matter on January 12, the court requested the Special Commissioner of DTT and Special Secretary of PwD to be present in court.

Title: SALES TAX BAR ASSOCIATION (REGD) v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Click Here To Read Order