Delhi Cabinet approved the Court Fees Bill 2011

The cabinet approved the Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill 2011 and gave its nod for auction of 93 vacant shops underneath subways and 13 shops in residential colonies on freehold basis. The decisions were taken in a cabinet meeting presided over by the Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit.

While briefing the media persons after the Cabinet meeting Dikshit stated that in order to rationalize the court fees and collection by E-court fees it was earlier decided to amend section 26 of the Court Fees Act 1870 to include e-stamping as a mean of court fees collection and revise the Schedule I and Schedule II of the act to effect the revision of court fees. Hence, a draft bill was prepared by the City Government, which has since been approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Ministry of Law and Justice. The Cabinet today approved the bill, which will be placed in the Legislative Assembly. There was no revision of Court Fees in Delhi since 1958 while all kinds of duties and fees have been revised. A Committee of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court asked the City Government to start e-court fee in the Delhi High Court. In addition to this, Court Fee in denomination of 40 paise, 25 paise and 50 paise are no more in use. This necessitated revision of court fee. The revision may increase revenue generated on account of court fees.

Dikshit further stated that the Cabinet has decided to auction 93 shops underneath subways and 13 shops in residential colonies lying vacant since long on freehold basis. The shops were constructed by the PWD. The allotment of shops by auction will prove to be a transparent exercise. The shops underneath subway are situated near commercial complexes like South Extension, Lajpat Nagar, Hayat Hotel etc. and their best use is commercial. The sale of these commercial properties by way of auction would fetch crores of revenue for the Government. Smt. Dikshit added that allotment of vacant shops through auction on freehold basis would prove to be a prudent decision.