The G20 Summit preparations have become a new source of conflict between the Delhi government led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Lieutenant Governor (LG).
Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the Constitution does not grant the LG, V K Saxena, the authority to approve funds for projects in the national capital. This comes amidst a dispute between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AAP regarding the funding of projects for the G20 Summit.
Saxena responded by saying that if someone wishes to take credit for his work, they can do so, suggesting that if that is the case, it reflects positively on the Central government’s actions.
The BJP had claimed that the Centre funded Delhi’s makeover for the G20 Summit, accusing the AAP government of wrongfully taking credit. In response, the AAP criticized the BJP for attempting to claim credit for the developmental work accomplished by the city government.
Bharadwaj emphasized that projects executed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are funded by taxpayers’ money. He refuted the notion that funds were provided by the Centre or LG, stating that it was a misunderstanding. He cited the Constitution to argue that the LG doesn’t possess the authority to approve any amount of money.
Bharadwaj explained that a PWD engineer can sanction up to ₹20 lakh because they are accountable to their department, which in turn is accountable to the minister, who answers to the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly), and ultimately to the people. He mentioned that the LG lacks this level of accountability and power granted by the Constitution.
LG Saxena, responding to Bharadwaj’s statements, expressed that if someone wishes to take credit for the work he is involved in, it indicates that the work is being well-executed. He refrained from commenting extensively but reiterated his commitment to performing his duties.
This disagreement over taking credit for projects is not new; there have been previous instances of conflicts between the LG office and the AAP administration on similar issues.
