The Hindu : New Delhi News : MCD passes three resolutions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

MCD passes three resolutions

Staff Reporter

Seeks relief for the people of Delhi from the ongoing demolition drive

NEW DELHI: Amid strong protests from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party councillors, the Congress-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi House on Monday passed three resolutions seeking relief for the people of the Capital from the ongoing demolition drive, sealing of illegal shops in residential areas and removal of hawkers and vendors from the pavements.

The resolution forwarded to the Delhi Government urged it to seek relaxation from the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court on the three issues till the high-level Khanna Committee formed by the Centre to look into the issues submitted its report. It also called for keeping in abeyance some sections of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act that deals with illegal constructions.

Tabled by Leader of the House Jitender Kochar, the resolutions urged the Union and the State Governments to approach the courts and seek relief in the matter. It also demanded that temporary relief be provided immediately as the Delhi Master Plan 2021 was in the process of being finalised. Further, it urged the two Governments to explore all options to provide relief to the people, including bringing in an Ordinance or Bill.

The House also asked the Municipal Commissioner to approach the Supreme Court to seek additional time for removing hawkers from the pavements till a plan was worked out for rehabilitation of these people. The House urged the Delhi Government to immediately pass the resolutions at the ongoing session of the Delhi Assembly and forward it to the Centre so that necessary action could be initiated.

Later addressing a press conference, Mr. Kochar and Standing Committee Chairman Mukesh Goel flayed the BJP councillors for creating ruckus in the House and obstructing the proceedings when important business related to the people of Delhi was being discussed. The two leaders said the resolution for deferring demolition action on unauthorised constructions as well as on sealing of commercial units were brought in the House after prior consultations with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

However, Leader of Opposition Subhash Arya and senior BJP councillor Vijender Gupta alleged that the Congress was least concerned about the hardships faced by the people due to the ongoing demolition drive.

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