HC takes up fresh PIL against circle rate notification

New Delhi, Aug 20: Delhi High Court today sought response of AAP government on a PIL seeking quashing of its notification enhancing circle rate for acquiring agricultural land in the city by three times.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath directed Arvind Kejriwal Government to file an affidavit within two weeks on the issue raised in the petition.

The court said that it needs to examine whether Lieutenant Governor (LG) has to sign any notification issued in his name or not. "If you (AAP govt) say that under the Transaction of Business Rules, LG's signature is not necessary while issuing any notification in his name, then you put the same on an affidavit," it said.

The court has now listed the matter for further hearing on September 23. However, the bench was informed through senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Delhi government, that as per Transaction of Business Rules, the notification had to be issued in the name of LG and the same has been complied with.

Krishnan also said that the terms of the notification were informed to the LG and endorsed by the Home Ministry.

The fresh plea was moved before the high court by a city Congress leader Naresh Kumar, seeking direction to the Delhi government to fix uniform rates for agricultural land throughout the capital instead of fixing different rates for different areas of the city so as to protect the right of equality of all farmers.

PTI