Sheila, l-g ‘war’ over circle rates intensifies

The tiff between Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna on the issue of increase of circle rates in the Capital is slowly turning into a full-blown crisis.

The tiff between Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna on the issue of increase of circle rates in the Capital is slowly turning into a full-blown crisis.

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With the L-G already returning the file, which recommends increase in circle rates by 100% across Delhi, to the state government twice, sources believed only the central government's intervention could help diffuse the tension.

According to sources, the Dikshit-led government is left with just two options — either it accepts the L-G's suggestions and make necessary amendments in the proposal or it completely ignores his opinions and notifies the new circle rates, which were cleared by the Delhi Cabinet.

"By sending the same recommendations twice to the L-G for approval, the government has made it clear that it had no intentions to accommodate the L-G's opinion. If the government now notifies the circle rates cleared by the Cabinet, the L-G can take up the matter to the President," a senior Delhi government officer said, requesting anonymity.

Sources added that Dikshit could have easily avoided the controversy by notifying circle rates without taking the L-G's approval.

"This matter comes under the list of 'transferred subjects' where the L-G's approval is not required at all," said a highly placed source in Delhi government.

"Once the file is sent for his approval, the L-G can intervene under Article 239 AA of the Indian Constitution and refer it to the President."

Delhi government had earlier decided to increase circle rates between 30% and 190% (more in posh localities and less in poorer colonies). However, based on the feedback received from people, the Delhi Cabinet later decided to increase the rates by 100% irrespective of the category of colony.

The L-G, however, insists that the government increases circle rates depending on the category of the colony.