Centre seeks 6 months to solve commercial establishment problem

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) The Centre today filled an application in the Supreme Court seeking six months to solve the problem of commercial establishments operating from residential areas in Delhi.

The application has been filed following a decision taken at a meeting attended by Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, the Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Lt Governor of Delhi B L Joshi. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Centre has pleaded that the people are being uprooted on a massive scale due to on-going sealing process in the National Capital as per the apex Court order.

The Centre has also contended that their are practical dificulties in finding a solution to the problem of massive misuse of property in Delhi and the problem cannot be solved in a short span of time.

The sealing of commercial establishments and shops in Delhi has already rendered a large number of people unemployed and those whose properties are being sealed also need time to make alternative arrangements.

In all, about 19000 affidavites of undertaking to stop misuse by June 30, 2006, the deadline set by the Supreme Court have been filed. Such premises shall not be sealed till June 30. In respect to other commercial establishments operating from residential areas is on as per the apex court order.

The Supreme Court Bar Association has also filed an application seeking directions not to seal the offices of lawyers.

SCBA president P H Parekh today mentioned the application before the bench headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, citing incidents of advocates offices being sealed by the MCD.

The application has been fixed for hearing on April 13.

UNI AKS/SC SHB PM1508