Stating that the government cannot stop work without any basis, the Bombay High Court has temporarily stayed two orders of the Eknath Shinde-led state government that suspended development work to the tune of Rs. 850 crores in the state’s rural areas that were started by the MVA government.
The petitioner - Belewadi Village Panchayat had approached the HC to quash two orders - of July 19 and July 25, of the present state government. These had led to the suspension of work initiated by the panchayat too.
On Mar 31, the state government had sanctioned the work of construction of gutters in the panchayat area. Work order too was issued by the concerned authority. The petitioners had contended that the present state government had suspended the budget for the same when it had already been sanctioned and incorporated in the Finance Act. As per the government resolution of Mar 31, the work had to be completed before March 2023 and if it is not done, then the budget earmarked for it would lapse.
The division bench of Justices RD Dhanuka and SG Dige said in their order of Monday, that it is their prima facie view that the state government already having issued orders after having approved the budget for the work to be carried out in the panchayat, cannot suspend such work as it would result in a lapse of the budget already earmarked and that also, without any basis.
The bench would be hearing the matter next on Nov 12 and until the final decision on the petition, directed temporary relief in the form of a stay on the two orders of the state government that the panchayat sought to be quashed. It also directed that its order be communicated to the concerned department immediately.
