Following the Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations that the Delhi Government has refused to transfer Rs. 20 lakh from the land area development fund of the party legislators for Jammu and Kashmir relief because Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung has objected to it, the L-G office clarified on Friday that Mr. Jung had approved such a request two days ago.
“On September 17, Mr. Jung approved that under the MLA Local Area Development Scheme, the MLAs could contribute to the L-G/CM relief fund for the victims of natural calamities, especially in the context of the one in Jammu and Kashmir. MLAs of Delhi are free to contribute to the relief measures in Jammu and Kashmir,” a statement from the L-G office said.
As per guidelines of the Delhi MLA Local Area Development Scheme, the amount can be released only on the request of the MLA concerned.
“The Lt. Governor has asked the Department of Urban Development to immediately convey the decision of the government to the MLAs and seek their willingness for making contribution . The amount will be credited to the L-G/CM Relief Fund,” the statement noted.
Earlier in the day, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in a series of tweets alleged that there was no reason to object to such contribution to Jammu and Kashmir as similar contributions were made for Uttarakhand flood last year.
“Twenty-seven MLAs of the AAP wrote to the Delhi Government to transfer Rs. 20 lakh from each MLA’s fund to Jammu and Kashmir CM fund. Sources – L-G has objected to it, why?” Mr. Kejriwal said in his first tweet.
It was followed by another one that said, “Last year, Rs. 10 lakh from each MLA’s fund was transferred for Uttarakhand flood relief. Then why is an objection this year?”
