Above: (Left) Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Photo: PIB

The Delhi government on Wednesday (November 29) finally found a reason on the use of unused green cess fund.

The government submitted to the Delhi High Court that out of Rs 700 crore which is a green cess fund they propose to purchase 500 electric buses for Rs 400 crore.

The bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sanjeev Sachdeva came down heavily on the submissions of the government. The bench asked: “Why do you want to use the “just discovered” green cess funds for buses?”

“Buses are a part of “essential functioning” of government. Plan to purchase has been pending for a long time. Why divert environment funds for bus purchase? Why can’t you purchase the buses out of normal funds?” the bench further asked.

The bench ordered all the authorities including Delhi government, all three Municipal Corporation, DPCC and Delhi Cantonment board to file reply in compliance to their order dated November 16.

The Court adjourned the matter for next hearing to December 14, 2017.

—India Legal Bureau