Khanna Committee recommendation noti evokes diverse reactions

New Delhi, July 22 (UNI) The recommendations of the Tejender Khanna Committee have evoked diverse reactions from various quarters with the traders hailing it as a step to solve the sealing problem while the RWAs expressed some misgivings specially over the aspect of RWA consultations in the recommendations.

In a statement issued here, the secretary general of the Confederation of all India Traders Praveen Khandelwal hailed the recommendations as a step towards solving the sealing problem.

Members of Delhi's largest RWA body, United Residents Joint Action (URJA), however, reacted with caution to the aspect of RWA consultations in the Tejender Committee recommendations.

In the recommendation, notified yesterday, the committee proposed a ban on commercial activities, except for professional services, in most of Delhi's posh colonies, but recommended a liberal mixed-land use in middle and lower-middle class residential zones.

Any other activity in colonies designated by the MCD as of A and B categories -- such as Greater Kailash and South Extension -- may be permitted on specific requests from their resident welfare association, a Central public notice on the recommendations said.

Describing aspect of RWA consultations as a step that is "over ambitious, not thought through and a short cut methodology", Pankaj Gupta, Group Coordinator of People's Action, said,''our experience is that the moment this sort of a caveat is brought into force, there will be extreme polarisation of views and opposite groups will emerge, leading to not only splits and dissensions but the propping up of many new RWAs based on vested interests.'' ''Contrary to the demand for empowerment of RWAs, this sort of power will create serious tensions in residential areas between opposite groups, which would become easy prey to political parties who want to extend their influence. This recommendation holds the potential for the qualified politicisation of RWAs,''said Rajesh Dokwal, URJA East Delhi coordinator.

UNI IP MSJ DS1405