HC notice to MTNL for ‘sluggishness’

In a first, a group of lawyers recently got a taste of the bitter pill that Delhi residents have to ingest on a daily basis. It took a High Court notice to make things work.

In a first, a group of lawyers recently got a taste of the bitter pill that Delhi residents have to ingest on a daily basis. It took a High Court notice to make things work.

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Around 25 lawyers practising in Delhi High Court were in for a rude shock, when the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) did not restore telephone connections inside their chambers, in the court premises, after they were snuffed out in a fire on March 25 this year.

Only after they moved the Delhi High Court (HC), did MTNL restore the connections. Meanwhile, the HC has taken serious note of sluggishness on behalf of departments under the Delhi government and the centre in-charge of civic amenities.

“If this can happen to lawyers inside Delhi HC premises, imagine the plight of the general public,” says Rajiv Agarwal, an affected lawyer. Justice Hima Kohli expressed anguish at the situation and directed MTNL and the Delhi Government to ensure immediate restoration of telephone connections.

The connections were restored immediately after Justice Kohli issued notices to the MTNL and the Delhi Government on July 14. However, the court will hear the matter further on August 1. On that day, the Delhi Government, MTNL and the Public Works Department will respond to the court’s queries on the matter.