NEW DELHI: National Advisory Council (NAC) member Aruna Roy, who is also a member of the National Campaign for People's Right to Information (NCPRI), has demanded total transparency in the process of demolition of illegal constructions being carried out in the Capital by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under the directions of the Delhi High Court order.

While welcoming Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's statement seeking to put the list of 18,000-odd structures on the website, Ms. Roy demanded that the list of such illegal buildings and structures which have allegedly violated various laws and which are on the target list of MCD be made public.

"This is not only in keeping with the principles of transparency but would significantly reduce confusion and harassment of citizens of Delhi," she said in a statement here.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Ms. Roy also demanded that the names of all officers responsible for allowing such violations should also be put on the website.

Further, the criteria being used by the Delhi Government and the MCD to select structures for demolition or sealing and in what order should also be made public to ensure that action against illegal structures is taken in a just manner.

Parivartan's demand

Meanwhile, Parivartan, a non-government organisation working towards bringing transparency and accountability in governance, has also demanded that the entire process of demolitions should take place with complete transparency.

"There appears to be some confusion about the definition of `demolition'. Whereas some structures were being completely razed, others were being let off with minor damages," it said.

In addition, it said, action taken by the MCD against misuse of residential premises for commercial purposes did not seem to be uniform.

While some such structures had been demolished others including some big showrooms were let off with only sealing of the premises. "Are there any guidelines that govern such decisions," it asked.

More corruption likely

It said the absence of any such clear guidelines could be a fertile ground for further corruption. "The civic body needs to make its stand clear on all these issues.

The people have a right to know and why such information is being kept away from public domain," it added.

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