The AAP government on Thursday passed a resolution against Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung's stay on the increase in circle rates in the national capital, as he returned the file to the council of ministers and ordered removal of "inherent inconsistencies".
"The resolution against the Lt. Governor's stay on the circle rates was passed in a cabinet meeting held today (Thursday) at the secretariat," a Delhi government official told IANS.
On August 10, Jung withheld his approval for the notification issued by the Delhi government on the new circle rates, saying he was not consulted.
The Delhi government slammed Jung, saying he had no authority to issue such directions.
A cabinet note issued by the Delhi government pointed out that the LG was "totally silent" as to under what rules and constitutional or statutory provisions was he authorised to issue such directions.
"The LG does not have any power to issue any direction to the Delhi government under any law. Also, the LG has no powers to direct for stay on any government notification; only the judiciary has the power to do that," the note stated.
"The cabinet urges the LG not to resort to issuance of such unlawful communications which are a cause of embarrassment for the holders of high constitutional offices," the cabinet note stated.
"The cabinet directs the officers to implement the notification dated August 4, so that they are not liable for any loss to the exchequer due to non-implementation of the notification," it added.
Hours after the resolution was passed, the LG hit back at the Delhi government, arguing that land was a "reserved subject" under the domain of the central government.
"The notification contains inherent inconsistencies. Rates have been fixed for land that would come under the pooling policy which has not yet become operational because villages covered under it have not been declared urban by the Delhi government," a statement from Raj Niwas said.
"Therefore, it could be incorrect to fix the rates on such land," it added.
During the budget session, the Delhi government on June 25 proposed to increase the circle rates of agricultural land between Rs.1 crore and Rs.3.5 crore per acre. The current circle rate is Rs.53 lakh per acre, which is much lower than the prevalent market rate.
An increase in circle rates will translate into higher compensation for farmers on the acquisition of their land.
