The Hindu : New Delhi News : New sub-group to decide on Khanna panel report

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 03, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

New sub-group to decide on Khanna panel report

Sujay Mehdudia

To also suggest the best possible changes in the law

NEW DELHI: Ruling out wholesale regularisation of unauthorised constructions in the Capital and illegal misuse of premises in view of the passage of the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act-2006, the Union Urban Development Ministry is in the process of constituting a "specialised sub-group" to not only thoroughly study the recommendations of the Tejinder Khanna Committee but also suggest the best possible changes in the law to keep in tune with changing times.

According to highly placed sources, Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy has asked his officials to adopt a pro-active approach in the matter and set things going. It is understood that Mr. Reddy in consultation with his deputy Ajay Maken and Secretary (Urban Development) Anil Baijal is likely to constitute a "specialised sub-group" to not only study the Tejinder Khanna Committee report but also look at the possibility of what all portions could be included in the new Master Plan for Delhi-2021.

According to sources, Mr. Reddy is likely to convene a high-level meeting shortly so that the process of short-listing the priorities and identifying the important subjects is taken up at the earliest. "Although the new Act has put a one-year moratorium on demolitions and sealing, the real task will begin now. The Ministry cannot afford to lose even a single day and has to get cracking on putting in place a new agenda with the eye on future planning and development," a senior official remarked.

According to sources, apart from taking a close look at the Tejinder Khanna Committee report another sub-group could be constituted to scrutinise the outdated laws including the building by-laws and the enforcement machinery so that a complete overhaul is undertaken. The Khanna Committee has also pointed that the bane of the present mess was the outdated laws and poor enforcement. Although at present there is no move to re-organise the Delhi Development Authority or the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, officials maintain that a new enforcement machinery could be put in place for the future, taking away some of the penal powers of the two civic agencies whose functioning has come under sharp criticism. "We are open to all kinds of suggestions and ideas. We are also looking at a regulatory authority for implementation of various laws. But that has to take into consideration the multiplicity of authority in Delhi. There could also be stringent law in place to prevent encroachment of public land by the land mafia and those who are indulging in growth of unauthorised colonies on private and agricultural land," said another official.

At the same time, sources said nobody should have any misconception about the interpretation of the new Act. According to officials, it only provides for suspension of action against three categories of properties and violations. However, this is not a blank cheque for regularisation of all that is illegal and unauthorised. Only those premises and violations will be regularised that are included in the new policy. Anything illegal beyond that will have to be brought down or face action at the hands of the enforcement agencies. "It is now time to ensure that the law of the land is upheld," they maintained.

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