MCD Commissioner apologises for desealing farm houses

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner A K Nigam today tendered an unconditional apology before the Delhi High Court for desealing the farmhouses with less than 60 feet wide approach roads.

Mr Nigam and MCD Law Officer A K Sharma personally appeared before a bench comprising acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir which was hearing a PIL on commercial use of farm houses in the capital.

Senior Counsel Jagmohan Sabharwal, appearing for MCD, tendered an unconditional apology saying ''it was a mistake'' on the part of MCD Commissioner and authorities.

The court expressed its anguish over the desealing of the farmhouses for commercial use which did not have 60 feet wide approach road according to the MCD regulations.

Counsel Manjit Singh Ahluwalia, appearing for NGO Bhrastachar Virodhi Sangathan, submitted that the MCD desealed all the farmhouses which were sealed in compliance to a court order.

On December 6, 2005, the High Court had permitted the MCD to permit the farm hosues having 60 feet wide approach road to organise social ceremonies including marriages after notifying the MCD guidelines.

The Judges had said the guidelines submitted before the court should be strictly adhered to while allowing the farm houses to organise the functions on a commercial basis.

The farm houses would have to stick to the stipulation laid down by the MCD on noise pollution, sanitation, traffic rules and other civic regulations.

UNI PAT PA PC1858