New Delhi, May 4
Sparks flew in the Supreme Court today when the government told the court that it could not act as a “super planning commission” by giving diktats to officials on improving the Capital’s power situation.

“This court cannot act as a super planning commission. It is not a justiciable issue. There is no legal right involved under Article 21 (Fundamental Right) for a citizen to move the court on power crisis,” Additional Solicitor General Amarender Saran told a bench of Justice P.K. Balasubramanyan and D.K. Jain.

The Bench, which till then was indulgent towards the government on the power crisis, rebuffed the ASG by stating that it was not exceeding its limit and knew its proper jurisdiction.

“We know our jurisdiction. Please..please we know how far we have to go,” the Bench told the ASG who was appearing for the Delhi government.

However, the ASG persisted with the argument that the apex court cannot give directions to the government on installing power projects as the issue raised was beyond the locus standi of a citizen.

The Bench (while agreeing that courts should not interfere with the executive’s functions), said it was forced to intervene in the interest of the citizens.

“We can’t see people crying. Our intention is to help the citizens and make their life more comfortable. We cannot tell them we can’t do anything,” the Bench told the Government. — PTI