VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh high court on Monday arrested finance department officials for undue delay in paying bills to contractors who performed various works in Panchayatraj and the rural development department. The high court observed that because of the ineffectiveness of public servants, not only contractors but many others, including retired employees, suffered.
Judge Devanand cited the death of a teacher who has not received a salary for nine months and asked who will take responsibility for his death.
“When the state government spends Rs 60,000 crore every year on various welfare schemes, it cannot be assumed that the state’s financial situation is in bad shape and this cannot be an excuse for non-payment of invoices, “said Judge Battu Devanand. who had ordered the main secretaries of finance and panchayatraj to appear in court.
On Monday, SS Finance Secretary Rawat and Panchayat Secretary Raj Gopala Krishna Dwivedi appeared before the High Court. They testified in court that the applicants’ outstanding invoices had been paid and that payments had been made to them.
Judge Devanand said delaying payment by about three years was nothing more than denying the dignity rights of entrepreneurs who invested money by borrowing.
Judge Devanand also found fault with the Global Financial Management System (SGFC) which was cited as the reason for the delay in many incidents. He observed that when a new system is introduced, the process should be minimized, but it should not cause any additional problems.
Arguing on behalf of the state government, Attorney General S Sriram said he had requested a full statement of work in the department of panchayat raj and was trying to work out a resolution plan to settle dues. relating to work without litigation.
As one of the petitioners requested payment of interest for causing a late payment, Justice Devanand asked the government to file a counter affidavit on this matter.
Judge Devanand cited the death of a teacher who has not received a salary for nine months and asked who will take responsibility for his death.
“When the state government spends Rs 60,000 crore every year on various welfare schemes, it cannot be assumed that the state’s financial situation is in bad shape and this cannot be an excuse for non-payment of invoices, “said Judge Battu Devanand. who had ordered the main secretaries of finance and panchayatraj to appear in court.
On Monday, SS Finance Secretary Rawat and Panchayat Secretary Raj Gopala Krishna Dwivedi appeared before the High Court. They testified in court that the applicants’ outstanding invoices had been paid and that payments had been made to them.
Judge Devanand said delaying payment by about three years was nothing more than denying the dignity rights of entrepreneurs who invested money by borrowing.
Judge Devanand also found fault with the Global Financial Management System (SGFC) which was cited as the reason for the delay in many incidents. He observed that when a new system is introduced, the process should be minimized, but it should not cause any additional problems.
Arguing on behalf of the state government, Attorney General S Sriram said he had requested a full statement of work in the department of panchayat raj and was trying to work out a resolution plan to settle dues. relating to work without litigation.
As one of the petitioners requested payment of interest for causing a late payment, Justice Devanand asked the government to file a counter affidavit on this matter.
