Over ₹9 Crores Due To Akshaya Patra Foundation Not Paid Despite Fund Availability: Delhi High Court Summons DUSIB’s Chief Executive Director

The Delhi High Court has summoned the Chief Executive Director of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) over non payment of over Rs. 9 crores outstanding dues to Akshaya Patra Foundation which supplied food to various shelter homes in the city which are under the supervision of the Board.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma observed that it is “really unfortunate” that despite a “specific order” passed on May 30 directing DUSIB to make the payment of Rs. 9,19,00,000 to Akshaya Patra Foundation within four weeks, not even a single rupee was paid.

“This Court fails to understand as to why the outstanding amount is not being released in favour of Akshay Patra Foundation despite availability of funds. Resultantly, this Court is not left with any other choice except to direct the personal appearance of the Chief Executive Director, DUSIB on the next date of hearing,” the bench, also comprising Justice Sanjeev Narula, said.

The court was hearing a suo moto public interest litigation initiated over an article published in the Times of India newspaper in respect of a DUSIB shelter for homeless single women located in Nizamuddin.

It was stated that the agency which was supplying meals to the shelter house had stopped supplying meals and that there were around 60 homeless single women including elderly and people with disabilities and 17 children who were living in the shelter house.

Since the Delhi Government was providing food to all night shelters, the court had directed that the said practice shall not be discontinued.

The bench had also directed Akshaya Patra Foundation, which was earlier providing food to all the night shelters, to continue its services and same process of payment will continue.

On July 4, the Delhi Government informed the court that all necessary permissions or sanctions have been granted regarding payment of bills to the Foundation. However, DUSIB sought more time to make the payment of outstanding dues.

“The DUSIB is directed to clear all dues owed to the Akshaya Patra Foundation as on date and shall continue to settle the current bills as and when raised, in due course,” the court ordered while listing the matter for hearing on July 20.

Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. GNCTD AND ORS

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