The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Andhra Pradesh chief secretary to file a response on whether the state had allegedly diverted funds from the state disaster response fund, meant for paying Covid ex-gratia, towards financing subsidy scheme for farmers.The alleged diversion was said to be to the tune of ₹1,100 crore.
Although notice was issued to the state on April 13, the state government represented by Mahfooz A Nazki told the Supreme Court that an affidavit could not be filed in this regard as the finance secretary, who had to file the affidavit, had a medical emergency on account of his father’s operation due to which certain documents could not be attached to the affidavit.
The bench of justices MR Shah and BV Nagarathna were amused at this request and said, “Has he taken the office with him to the hospital. Is there no other person to assist in his office?” The court made it clear that they would not like the response from finance secretary in this matter but the chief secretary.