Stressing the importance to be given to Juvenile Homes, the Madras High Court today directed the government of Tamil Nadu not to delay release of funds already allocated for their welfare.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana before which a petition with regard to Madurai Juvenile Home came up, referred to its earlier order that if funds are not sanctioned for different proposed approved projects within the next hearing date, the Secretary, Finance Department, shall remain present in Court.
The bench, while referring to the 'bar chart' submitted by PWD on construction of the Home, opined that in case of any unforeseen delay, the authorities would have to move court for extension of time.
The bench said it had not been clearly informed of the position of the Juevenile home at Madurai and was thus making it clear "that any violation of these directions will undoubtedly be on the pain of contempt, since no other language appears to have any effect on the respondent authorities."
Referring to the Tirunelveli Juvenile Home, the bench said it had been informed that other posts of sanitary workers have been filled up on transfer basis.
To its earlier order on filling up these posts, government had informed it that financial sanction was awaited. "If the needful is not done by the next date, the Principal Secretary, Finance Department, shall remain personally present in court," it said.
The HC pointed out that the videoconferencing facility also is awaiting financial sanction, though it had called for steps to be taken within 30 days. Failure to comply with the order by next date would require the Finance Secretary to remain present personally in the court, it said.
"We may know that the despite whatever time we given even on such urgent matters, there seems to be inordinate delay in respect of financial sanction. These are matters of running juvenile homes and we expect priority to be given. Government authorities must seriously look into the issue as to why so much time takes in these matters for processing."
The bench then posted the matter for further hearing to January 8, 2016.
