The Hindu : New Delhi News : MCD claims Centre’s support against sealing

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Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007
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New Delhi

MCD claims Centre’s support against sealing

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s stand against the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee’s directive to resume the sealing drive in the Capital’s unauthorised colonies has reportedly met with a favourable response from the Union Ministry of Urban Development.

MCD Standing Committee chairman Vijender Gupta said on Tuesday that his meeting earlier in the day with Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy was a “success”.

“We clearly stated the rationale behind our stand of not resuming the sealing drive. When the Government had promised regularisation of these colonies on February 8 this year, then why have they been so lethargic in its implementation?” asked Mr. Gupta.

Mr. Gupta said the MCD had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court to clarify its stand and urge it to speed up the process of regularisation.

Over 30 lakh residents of the Capital could be adversely affected if the sealing drive was resumed, he said, adding that the MCD does not want to be party to such a “crime against the common man”.

The Leader of the House in the MCD, Subhash Arya, said: “Even the Union Urban Development Ministry has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court. We will also urge the DDA to follow suit. The Lieutenant-Governor has given us a positive feedback and has promised to support our stand.”

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