The Kerala High Court on Friday stayed the government order granting permission to secretaries of local self-government institutions to expend money from their own funds for the conduct of Navakerala Sadas.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the interim order on a writ petition filed by Beena Sasidharan, chairperson of the North Paravur municipality in Ernakulam district, challenging the government order.
The Judge observed, “I am prima facie satisfied that the Municipality Act does not confer power upon the secretaries to incur any expenditure dehors a decision by the municipal council or the chairperson. Section 15(3)(d), Section 49(1)(f) and Section 50(4) of the Municipality Act indicate that the secretary does not possess any powers to expend money other than what the municipal council or the chairperson has decided/directed”.
