National
Lt. Gov can’t decide if Delhi government decisions correct or not: SC
New Delhi, Nov 30 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday said that the Lt. Governor does not have the jurisdiction to pronounce if the Delhi government’s decisions are correct or not as he can only, in the situation of disagreement, refer the matter to the President for decision.
“Lt. Governor does not have the jurisdiction to decide on the correctness or otherwise of the decisions of Delhi government” said Chief Justice Dipak Misra presiding over the five judge constitution bench.
Lt. Governor can call the Chief Minister and apprise him of his opinion and persuade him on the course which is he thinks is correct or vice-a-versa or refer it to the President in the event of difference of opinion but can’t take upon himself the adjudicatory role, said the court.
The bench also comprising Justice A.K.Sikri, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan said this while making it clear that it would decide the larger issues on “law and principle” leaving the individual issues for the High Court to decide – a position the top court took while deciding whether right to privacy was a fundamental right.
“We will only lay down the law and the principles … We will decide what kind of State it is and for individual cases, it will go back to two judge bench of High Court,” said the bench.
The court noted that once constitutional perceptions are decided, the most of the problems will be solved “their (Delhi government) way or your (Centre) way” as Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, appearing for the Central government, sought to clear the impression that the Lt. Governor was functioning in total disregard of the elected government or was sitting on the files thereby paralysing the fuinctioning of Arvind Kejriwal government.
Maninder Singh told the court that in every meeting called by the Lt. Governor, the Chief Minister or the Minister concerned are called and they attend them. Of the 6,300 proposals that were forwarded to the Lt. Governor in last three years, 96 per cent of them were cleared and that too within two to three days of their submission, he added.
He said that Lt. Governor stood his ground only in three areas – police, public order and land – which are in the exclusive domain of the Centre.
Brushing aside the allegation that Lt. Governor sat on the file recommending the hike in minimum wages, the ASG said that the recommendations were not in accord with the procedure and once the procedural requirements were satisfied, the proposal for hike of minimum wages was cleared immediately.
The constitution bench is hearing a batch of petitions by the Delhi government challenging the Delhi High Court order that held that the Lt Governor had the final authority in the governance of the national capital. The Centre is defending the High Court verdict.
Besides Maninder Singh, the bench was also addressed by senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sidhartha Luthra.
Hearing will continue on December 5.
–IANS
pk/vd
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.