NEW DELHI: Even as desperation seems to have taken over the Union Urban Development Ministry and the ruling Congress party in Delhi over the adverse impact of the sealing and demolition of illegal commercial premises across the Capital, cracks have appeared in the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil over the approach to be adopted to bail out lakhs of people who face an uncertain future.

With the Supreme Court showing no signs of giving relief to the offenders, it is learnt that the Congress party as well as the GoM are divided over the measures that need to be taken keeping in mind the ground realities.

The decision of the GoM asking the Union Urban Development Ministry to file a review petition and speed up the Master Plan for Delhi-2021 has not gone down well with the Congress party as well as traders who are now pressurising the authorities to either take recourse to introducing a Constitutional amendment or placing the Delhi Special Laws (Amendment Bill), 2006, in Schedule IX of the Constitution, putting the entire matter out of the purview of the courts.

It is learnt that Mr. Patil is not in favour of going in immediately for a Constitutional amendment and has instead suggested that the Ministry file a review petition.

This view has not found support from the traders or even local Congressmen. On the other hand, Union Law and Justice Minister H.R. Bhardwaj, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Union Social Welfare Minister Meira Kumar have supported Mr. Patil in this plea while Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, his deputy Ajay Maken, Union Minister for Commerce Kamal Nath and to some extent Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal are for taking some strong measures to save lakhs of traders.

"What is the most unfortunate part of the GoM is that it is headed by those who are not connected with Delhi and have no knowledge about the ground realities and basic problems of the city. The situation is very tense and explosive and could have an adverse impact on the Congress prospects in any future electoral battle if relief is not provided,'' said a senior Delhi Congress leader.

Although the GoM had sought speeding up of the Master Plan for Delhi-2021 and is scheduled to witness a presentation very soon, officials are not very positive if the new Master Plan would help mattersIt is learnt that Mr. Reddy has made a point before the GoM that the only way out is either to bring about a Constitutional amendment during the winter session of Parliament or put it in Schedule IX of the Constitution.

Mr. Sibal is of the view that everything possible should be done to resolve the problems faced by the people of Delhi.

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