SC directs MCD to identify non-hawking zones

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the MCD to identify all non-hawking and non-sqautting zones in the national capital and submit the list before the apex court.

A bench comprising Justices B P Singh and Altamas Kabir also issued contempt of court notice to the SHO, Sadar Bazar for not complying with the court's orders directing him to clear the area under his jurisdiction.

The MCD had earlier removed hawkers and squatters from Sadar Bazar under the Supreme Court's order but they had returned and the area police did not take any action against them.

The Supreme Court had also directed that SHOs of all the areas in the national capital shall be personally responsible if vendors removed by the MCD or the NDMC come back. A copy of the order was also sent to the Police Commissioner of Delhi.

The court had issued blanket directions to remove all hawkers and squatters from streets, roads and pavements saying they cause inconvenience to pedestrians.

After the enactment of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act 2006, which put a year's moratorium against removal of unauthorised constructions as well as sealing commercial premises operating from residential areas of the city, the earlier orders of the court were virtually ignored.

UNI AKS/SC AK VA SND1247