The Hindu : New Delhi News : Centre may notify Tejinder proposals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 20, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Centre may notify Tejinder proposals

Sujay Mehdudia

Panel has recommended `zero tolerance' in posh colonies, limited mixed land use in middle class colonies

NEW DELHI: The Union Urban Development Ministry is understood to have made up its mind to notify the recommendations of the Tejinder Khanna Committee report on mixed land use and new building by-laws in the Capital. The notification is expected to be issued this week giving one month's time for seeking public views before notifying it as part of the Master Plan for Delhi-2001.

According to highly placed sources, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy has taken a decision to this effect after prolonged consultations with his junior colleague Ajay Maken and senior officials.

In another development, the Urban Development Ministry is apparently planning to include the issuing of notification on the Tejinder Khanna Committee report in the affidavit to be filed before the Supreme Court that is scheduled to take up hearing on the validity of the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006, on July 31. In addition, the affidavit is also likely to mention the fact that the Delhi Development Authority had already acted on the directions of the Supreme Court and notified the zonal plans that are a very important aspect for development of any area or city.

According to sources, Mr. Reddy had appraised the Prime Minister's Office of the developments on the demolitions and sealing issue. Mr. Reddy is of the view that the Union Urban Development Ministry should act fast and not sit on the findings of the Tejinder Khanna Committee that had made several recommendations after taking into consideration the viewpoint expressed by a cross-section of society including residents' welfare associations. "We will give 30 days' notice as mandatory for such an exercise to seek public feedback on the notification of the various aspects of the report. After that period and taking into consideration the public opinion, major recommendations of the Tejinder Khanna Committee would be notified by amending the Master Plan for Delhi-2001 for all old structures and old areas. The new areas and structures would be covered by the new Master Plan for Delhi-2021 when it is notified,'' said a senior Ministry official.

This development should bring cheer to residents' welfare associations and provide major relief to large sections of people affected by various directions of the Court. The Tejinder Khanna Committee has recommended "zero tolerance'' for mixed land use in posh Tier-I colonies, limited mixed land use in middle-class Tier-II colonies and a liberal mixed land use policy in economically weaker Tier-III and other colonies across the Capital.

The Committee has categorised the colonies on the basis of the Unit Area Method scheme leaving out a majority of the posh colonies of the Capital out of the mixed land use ambit and applying the "zero tolerance'' formula there as demanded by the local RWAs.

In such colonies, the Committee has suggested that in the case of self-occupied premises of professionals such as lawyers, doctors, architects, chartered accounts, lawyers and computer specialists, only up to 50 per cent of the covered area should be allowed for "home-based professional work stations''. For any other existing or proposed non-residential use, the onus for justifying such use should be much stiffer and cast on the applicant.

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