SC steps in end chaos at Delhi-NCR borders
Bench asks Centre to convene meeting of UP, Delhi and Haryana
New Delhi, June 4: The Supreme Court Thursday asked the Centre to convene a meeting of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for easing interstate movement at all borders in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid certain restrictions imposed due to the Covid pandemic. A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, hearing a plea on restriction for permissible activities in the NCR, said the states should have a common programme and a common portal for interstate movement.
“We are of the view that in the facts of the present case, the Government of India shall convene a meeting of concerned State officials/UTs and endeavour to find out a common programme, common portal for easing the inter-state movement on all state borders in the National Capital Region,” the bench, also comprising Justices S.K. Kaul and M R Shah, said in its order.
The bench noted the submissions advanced by the petitioner’s counsel who said that in the NCR there should be “one policy, one portal and one pass which shall be recognized by all the governments”.
The bench further noted the submissions of counsel that due to the difference in the decision taken by different governments, a lot of confusion and difficulty is being caused to the common man.
“Needful be done within a week,” the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on June 12.
During the hearing, the bench observed that there should be a consistent policy in this regard for the NCR. The counsel appearing for the Centre referred to the May 30 order of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The MHA’s May 30 order had guidelines for phased re-opening which included that there shall be no restriction on inter-state or intra-state movement of persons and goods.
The counsel appearing for Haryana informed the bench that the state has lifted the restrictions on movement at its borders.
The petitioner’s counsel told the bench that though the standing counsel for the state of NCT of Delhi has been served, no one has put in appearance in the matter.
The plea, filed through advocate Anindita Mitra, has alleged that “complete sealing of borders” within the NCR and restrictions imposed on the movement of citizens was in violation of the new guidelines of the MHA.
On May 15, the SC had sought responses from the Centre and governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi on the plea.
The petition has sought to declare as unconstitutional the measures by the district administrations of Haryana and UP, which allegedly restrict movement without reasonable exceptions”.