Govt seeks public response on Tejendra Khanna Committee report

New Delhi, July 22 (UNI) The Central government has issued a notification inviting public response to its proposal to ban commercial activities, except for professional services, in most of Delhi's posh colonies but allow liberal mixed-land use in middle and lower-middle class residential zones.

The notification was based on the recommendations of the Tejendra Khanna Committee that was consituted by the Centre to find long-term solutions to the rampant problem of commercial establishments in residential areas and unauthorised construction in the national capital.

Later, a final notification would be issued after considering the responses from the public.

Any activity in colonies designated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as of A and B categories -- such as Greater Kailash and South Extension -- were sought to be permitted on specific requests from their Resident Welfare Association.

Also, commercial use of residential premises was proposed to be allowed in the C and D category colonies -- such as East of Kailash, Dwarka and Daryaganj -- only after consultations with RWAs.

Under pressure mostly from shop keepers and traders, the Congress-led government, whose law suspending MCD demolition and sealing drives for a year came in for stinging observations by the Supreme Court, recommended liberal mixed-land use in colonies categorised as E, F and G -- home to a large population of Delhi's middle and lower-middle income groups.

The government also proposed to allow commercial activities in colonies like Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk, which were declared commercial in 1962 but lost that designation in 2001.

Residential areas and streets/stretches earlier declared commercial or where commercial use was allowed in Master Plan 1962 would also be allowed to continue such use.

UNI IP RL BD1314