Motion to stop demolition drive passed for second time

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The Delhi Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on the last day of its just-concluded budget session seeking to regularise shops and other commercial establishments running in residential areas of the city, albeit for the second time.

Earlier also, during the winter session on December 20, the Assembly had passed a resolution to stop Municipal Corporation of Delhi's demolition drive against unauthorised constructions in the city and regularisation of such structures in public interest.

The five-day winter session was dominated by the demolition issue.

One full day was devoted on a discussion on the problem while one day was lost to it and proceedings were partly disturbed on another.

The first day had been adjourned after passing obituary references.

Session could be properly conducted only on the last day but without the opposition present in the House.

Even as the opposition members were expelled and also courted arrest over the issue, Congress MLA Mukesh Sharma had moved a breach of privilege motion against MCD Commissioner A K Nigam for failing to comply with the resolution passed by the House.

However, nothing much changed on the ground and bulldozers continued their march across the city.

In the just-concluded budget session the House again accepted a private member resolution, moved by NCP MLA R S Bidhuri, that keeping in view the requirements of the people here, the demolitions should be stopped immediately and the state government would recommend the Centre to regularise the shops and commercial units running in the residential areas of Delhi.

The Government agreed with it and resolved to abide by it.

The House also recommended that for better development of the capital, the Delhi Development Authority be brought under the control of the state government with immediate effect.

The House also recommended that hawkers should not be removed till alternative sites were provided to them. And also that the elected representatives should be taken into confidence before finalisation of the Master Plan.

The demolition issue cast its shadow over the proceedings in the session with both Leader of Opposition Jagdish Mukhi and Mr Bidhuri moving adjournment motions on the issue, on which as many as 19 members debated for more than four hours.

Now, Delhiites can only hope the second time is lucky for them.

UNI IP PV VP1322