The Hindu : New Delhi News : Bill likely for moratorium on sealing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 02, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Bill likely for moratorium on sealing

Sujay Mehdudia

Central Government approaches monitoring panel for extension of six months to settle issues

NEW DELHI: Under increasing pressure from the traders' lobby and political and elected representatives to provide relief, the Union Urban Development Ministry is finalising a draft Bill that would put a one-year moratorium on the ongoing demolition and sealing drives across the Capital.

It is understood that the Ministry's representative has made a presentation before the Monitoring Committee headed by Bhure Lal as directed by the Supreme Court. Highly placed sources informed that a senior official of the Ministry pleaded the case of the Central Government before the Committee and also submitted the affidavit that has been filed in the apex court praying for an extension of six months to settle the problems being faced by the Capital's residents.

It is learnt that the Ministry has urged the Monitoring Committee to take into consideration the fact that the Master Plan for Delhi-2021 was in the final stages of being notified. In addition, the Tejinder Khanna Committee was working on fast track and would submit its report by the third week of this month. In view of these developments, it was necessary to give an extension to the Government to come out with an action plan to address the issues involved including the concerns of the traders, residents and other sections who are presently facing an uncertain future.

On the other hand, it is learnt that the Ministry has held prolonged discussions with senior officials and legal experts on what shape the proposed Bill could take if no relief is forthcoming from the court on May 5 when the case is scheduled for hearing. It is understood that a short Bill is being prepared that would seek to put a one-year moratorium on the ongoing demolition and sealing drives providing time to the Union and State governments to work out an action plan for addressing these issues.

It is learnt that Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy has held half a dozen rounds of discussions on the issue and is keen that things should be put in right perspective as soon as possible. "Till now Mr. Reddy has moved with utmost care and understanding on the whole issue.

The Centre has not panicked in view of the court proceedings and also due to pressure from the Delhi Government. It is committed to resolving the issue to everybody's satisfaction. It cannot allow displacement of lakhs of people and some way out has to be found to solve the present mess,'' sources added.

According to sources, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was of the view that apart from addressing the present problems all efforts should be made to keep in mind the concerns of the urban poor and middle class.

It is with this mind-set that the Union Urban Development Ministry is working on an action plan that would address the concerns of one and all including those raised by the Prime Minister when he had held discussions with Mr. Reddy, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor B.L. Joshi and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on various issues.

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