Delhi govt cruising on contempt ground

Delhi govt cruising on contempt ground
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, APRIL 3: The Delhi government today allowed bus operators to ply with just an affidavit till April 15. The requirement of a special permit, which had been specified by the Supreme Court, has been done away with for this time period.

This means some respite for the commuters tomorrow as the mammoth exercise of giving permits will no longer be a hindrance for bus operators.

After the Supreme Court's refusal to give more time to issue special permits to bus owners booking CNG vehicles, this is the first time that the Delhi government has tread on grounds that may invite contempt of court.

"The Delhi Cabinet has decided today to allow operation of all vehicles who in compliance with Supreme Court directions have filed an affidavit and obtained the court's acknowledgement as well as the transport department's receipt for applications submitted. These vehicles can start plying with immediate effect," the Cabinet order stated.

Referring to the Cabinet decision in the House on Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said her government was ready to undergo any punishment for protecting public interest. "We will be ready to face any punishment that the Supreme Court decides," said Dikshit.

Shortage of time and manpower has slowed processing of affidavits in the transport department. Each affidavit would require a separate file and documentation.

Though the Supreme Court has rejected the Delhi government's request for time, it had not suggested any prescribed format for special permits. According to the Cabinet decision, the fitness certificate of various commercial vehicles shall be deemed to be valid till September 30, 2001. This implies that fitness of vehicles which have been issued a short-term certificate recently and have booked for conversion will be extended.

However, vehicles whose annual fitness inspection is due between March 31 and September 30 will have to apply for a fresh certificate.

"Since the Supreme Court has not listened to us, we will be approaching the Prime Minister soon. In the matter of the unauthorised colonies, demolitions or any law and order situations, it seems to become our responsibility even if it is someone else who is taking the decisions. Today, the Cabinet has kept this in mind and we took a decision in the interest of the public," said the Chief Minister.

She said necessary instructions has been sent to the police, transport department and other enforcement agencies that the buses, autos and taxis be allowed to ply as special permits will not be available before April 15. Besides this, the transport department will be working round the clock to accept affidavits and issue permits.

"The traffic police and enforcement agencies have been instructed through the LG not to harrass these buses," said Dikshit.

According to the chief minister: "CNG technology is not a well-utilised technology. What is it about, how it will be implemented, the safety, the infrastructure, whether the fuel will be available to us. Nothing is clear. This was presented to the Supreme Court," she said.

"Some people think what we have done today should have been done long ago. We didn't leave any opportunity to tell the Supreme Court that we won't be able to provide CNG buses," she said.

Besides CNG being a clean fuel, the chief minister said alternate fuels are also clean. "Ultra low sulphur diesel is also good and we should prepare to campaign for this. We are going to present this in the Supreme Court," she said.