Why shouldn’t we butt in statue-erecting spree? SC quizzes Maya

The apex court asked the government whether it should remain a silent spectator if public money for instance meant for construction of primary schools or hospitals is diverted for erecting such memorials.

““Supposing you spend astronomical and unconscionable amount,should the court not say anything in this regard? There is no difficulty if your are constructing memorials. But what matters is the huge amount spent on it.

“Supposing funds are meant for a purpose but are being diverted,should we not interfere?” the bench told the UP government.

Salve argued the petition filed by the NGO Gomtinagar Kalyan Sanstha and certain others were not maintainable as it was within the rights of the goverment to spend its budgetary allocation.

He submitted the petition amounted to challenging the appropriation bill passed by the state legislature and was an attempt to pit one Constitutional wing against the other.