SC asks Delhi to divert entire ad budget to RRTS, keeps order in abeyance for a week

The Supreme Court on November 21 directed the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government to channel its entire advertising budget to the Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) to Panipat and Alwar.

The court, however, kept the order in abeyance for a week after the lawyers for the Delhi government sought a week to take instruction and revert on it. The court noted that the RRTS project is very important to curb air pollution in the national capital. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul also took note of the fact that the advertising budget of the Delhi government for the last three years was Rs 1,100 crore and it is Rs 550 crore for this year alone.

The order was passed in an application moved by the National Capital Regional Transport Corporation (NCRTC) alleging that Delhi government has not payed its dues despite giving undertaking to do so. In April 2023, when the Delhi government told the apex court that it could not contribute to the RRTS project due to budgetary constraints, the court sought its statement on the advertisement expenditure.

In July 2023, the government undertook to pay its contribution to RRTS, but it is the NCRTC's contention that the money has not been paid.