The Hindu : New Delhi News : MCD files affidavit in Supreme Court

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Saturday, Sep 23, 2006
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New Delhi

MCD files affidavit in Supreme Court

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Traders and residents might have got relief from the ongoing sealing operation till this coming Monday, but the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will resume its drive after that, targeting all those residential premises where commercial activities are going on illegally. However, the drive will not cover the 2,200-odd roads where commercial activities have been allowed following the Centre's notification.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on Friday, Municipal Commissioner A.K. Nigam said the status of illegal commercial establishments in more than 2,200 roads had changed after the notifications. "What amounted to misuse prior to the notifications cannot be termed as misuse at the present point of time to the extent provided for in the notifications," he said in the affidavit.

Mr. Nigam also said the Centre and the Delhi Government had substantially extended the list of roads where commercial activity can be undertaken. "Thus, after the promulgation of the notifications certain parts of Delhi which were under misuse have been regularised since the extent of commercial use and mixed land use have been extended."

According to the Municipal Commissioner, the civic body is undertaking sealing of all those residential premises where commercial activities are being undertaken resulting in misuse. "The order of the Supreme Court of continuance of sealing activity is being complied with in its true letter and spirit and is being monitored by the Additional Commissioner (Engineering) on daily basis," the affidavit said.

Meanwhile, minor protests continued in different parts of the city against the sealing and demolition drives.

Traders staged a demonstration at Greater Kailash-I market alleging that the Government was not taking any step to save their shops and was more worried about saving 200-odd liquor vends that might face sealing. Once the sealing resumes, all commercial establishments operating from residential premises in Greater Kailash-I will be sealed.

Similarly doctors also protested at Vikas Marg seeking more relaxation in building by-laws for running of nursing homes.

They also set up a mobile clinic and attended patients. They asked the Government to allow them to run nursing homes and clinics from basements.

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