The Hindu : New Delhi News : MCD unlikely to begin demolition drive today

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Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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MCD unlikely to begin demolition drive today

Logistics are not in place, say Corporation officials

This expected despite court-appointed monitoring committee’s directions in this regard
Demolition of their houses, will force people to take the law into their hands: Vardhan

New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is unlikely to begin its demolition drive against illegal structures in the Capital from Monday, despite a court-appointed monitoring committee issuing directions in this regard.

Senior civic body officials said no decision has been taken regarding the razing of illegal constructions beyond the third floor.

The MCD had identified illegal constructions in 18,299 structures in 2005 and these would have been the first to face action from Monday.

Officials said they were not in a position to begin the drive as the logistics were not in place. — PTI

Harsh Vardhan’s view

Staff Reporter adds: Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party president Harsh Vardhan has demanded framing of an amnesty scheme to prevent demolition of Delhi’s illegal constructions. In a statement, Dr. Vardhan said the demolition drive may compel the affected people to rebel against the authorities and cause disruption of law and order. “When people see their houses being razed, they will be forced to take the law in their own hands. If the demolitions continue, a situation like the one in Seelampur, where four people were killed, may arise,” he said.

According to the BJP leader, if the Government can frame laws to save unauthorised colonies from sealing and demolition, then it was illogical to not legalise other additional construction in several parts of the Capital.

“The demolition drive is slated to start on Monday. In the first phase, over 18,299 properties will be targeted and more than a lakh fourth and fifth floors will be destroyed. In fact, all these illegal constructions were able to sprout only because of the corruption and negligence of the present Government,” he added. Dr. Vardhan said that to punish only the owners and contractors would reek of inequality because all illegal constructions have been built only after a thorough connivance with the civic body officials.

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