Bombay HC continues order restraining govt from disbursing balance devpt funds linked to MLA plea

The High Court posted the matter for further hearing to April 18.

A division bench of Justice Girish S Kulkarni and Justice Rajesh N Laddha was hearing a plea by Waikar, the MLA from Jogeshwari (East), seeking equal allocation of MLD funds, claiming same were allocated to many constituencies represented by ruling parties, in a discriminatory manner

Waikar, in his plea filed through advocates Satish Borulkar and Siddhasen Borulkar, has claimed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) had allotted Rs 11,420.44 lakh for ‘Slum Dwellers Re-allocation and Rehabilitation Plan of 2022-23’, Rs 26,687.2 lakh for ‘Development of Slums in Other than Backward Class’ and Rs 7,000 lakh for ‘Development of Basic Infrastructure’ for areas in Mumbai suburban district.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf, appearing for state government, initially placed on record two affidavits, one of which was filed through Shrikant Andge, deputy secretary, Urban Development Department (UDD), which stated that 100% funds have already been disbursed towards the approved works under the said schemes.

Andge submitted that the allocation of funds towards sanctioned works was made in accordance with the guidelines and the same was not “arbitrary” and there was “no favouritism”. The UDD said the petition was misconceived and argued that the writ petition was filed in the nature of PIL and the same was not maintainable.