Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena
After the Delhi government, now the Lieutenant Governor has also been reprimanded over the felling of trees in the national capital Delhi. The Supreme Court today asked the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to submit an affidavit before the court in connection with the tree felling case in the ridge areas of South Delhi. LG Vinay Saxena has ordered the DDA to cut down around 1,100 trees in the ridge area to widen the road.
There was a dispute between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor over the matter. The two have been accusing each other of cutting down trees. Both have taken the matter to the Supreme Court. Now the court has asked the Delhi district administration to file an affidavit in the matter.
What’s up?
The Delhi local government is also the chairman of the DDA. The DDA was given permission to cut down trees to widen the road, but the number of trees allegedly felled was more than the permitted number.
The Supreme Court had imposed certain conditions on felling of trees at this location, but these conditions have been violated. In this regard, the Supreme Court has asked the local government to file an affidavit to inform whether he was informed that felling of trees at this location requires the permission of the Supreme Court?
What action was taken?
The court asked the lieutenant governor what actions were taken against the officials responsible for the case? We want the DDA to take action against those responsible for it without waiting for the Supreme Court order, the court said. Until the Supreme Court takes action on the matter, it would be better for local governments to take action themselves.
The dispute between the government and LG
The dispute between the Delhi government and LG on this matter has been going on for a long time. The Delhi government claimed that the trees were felled on the orders of the LG, while the LG government claimed that the trees were felled on the orders of the Delhi government.
The two squabbled in court, blaming each other, and the Supreme Court censured both parties in July. The Delhi government claims that the DDA has cut down more trees than is allowed.
