Ruling Congress says sealing operation must end in Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) Delhi's ruling Congress today said the situation in the capital was turning ''explosive'' on the issue of sealing of commercial premises in residential areas and sought ''immediate steps'' from the Centre to stop the drive.

DPCC chief Ram Babu Sharma said the situation was likely to go out of control in the coming days unless party chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervened and put an end to ''this largest ever displacement since independence''.

Both Dr Singh and Ms Gandhi should direct the Urban Development Ministry to approach the Supreme Court seeking extension of time for another six months for the sealing work so that the Government can find a solution to the issue by that time, he told a press conference.

''Till the time the Master Plan of Delhi is finalised and notified and the high powered Tejinder Khanna Committee submits its report, the present process of sealing of premises should be stopped immediately by approaching the Supreme Court.

''If there is no relief forthcoming from the court then the United Progressive Alliance Government should take steps to bring a legislation during the re-convened session of Parliament by amending the Act and also the Master Plan,'' he said.

UNI VN KP1822