New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has expressed serious concerns regarding the Delhi government’s failure to present the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports and has requested a special session of the Legislative Assembly on December 19-20.
In his letter, Saxena emphasized the constitutional duty of the elected government to maintain transparency and accountability, highlighting the necessity of presenting statutory audit reports to the legislature.
He reminded Chief Minister Atishi of her responsibilities as an elected leader and noted that it has been two years since these reports were withheld, despite multiple reminders sent to her and her predecessor. Saxena criticized the administration, which campaigned on a platform of transparency, for what he termed a ‘deliberate opacity’ in failing to disclose these reports.
The letter pointed out that fourteen CAG reports related to various Delhi government departments remain unpublished. Saxena described this as a ‘conscious and deliberate lapse’ by the government, which has led some Members of the Legislative Assembly to approach the Delhi High Court to assert their constitutional rights, undermining the dignity of the legislature.
He noted that the Delhi government only acted after the High Court took notice of the situation, forwarding the reports to him for approval on December 13, 2024, just before a court hearing. Saxena promptly approved the reports for presentation to the Assembly.
Additionally, he referenced a recent Delhi High Court order from December 16, 2024, in the case of Vijender Gupta vs. GNCTD, where the court recorded an assurance from the government’s counsel that the CAG reports would be sent to the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly within a few days.
Saxena expressed concern over the limited number of sessions held by the Delhi government in recent years, noting that while other legislatures typically convene at least three sessions annually, Delhi has only held five sessions in the past five years, with the last one adjourning on December 4, 2024.
Given the urgency of the matter and the impending expiration of the Assembly’s term in February 2025, Saxena urged Chief Minister Atishi to work with the Speaker to call a special sitting to present the CAG reports. He concluded his letter by sharing a copy with the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition, emphasizing the bipartisan call for transparency. As elections for the Delhi Legislative Assembly approach, this issue is expected to become a focal point in political campaigns.