Unanimous condemnation for 'Master Plan 2021'

New Delhi, Jan 6 (UNI) Cutting across party lines, Delhi MLAs today condemned the 'Master Plan 2021' terming it devoid of ground realities, bereft of people's aspirations and lacking substance.

Day one of the two-day 'special session' at the Delhi Assembly began with glowing tributes being paid to former members of Delhi Metropolitan Council Bhori Lal Shastri and Govind Ram Verma, former Delhi Mayor Shanti Desai and former parliamentarian Bhiku Ram Jain.

After the tributes Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia introduced the 'Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2007'.

Calling for regularising unauthorised colonies on 'as is where is basis' and ownership rights be conferred on those residing in 44 resettlement colonies, Dr Walia presented a resolution on 'Master Plan 2021' from the government's side permitting four floors be built and basements allowed for professional purposes.

He also said compounded one-time amnesty be given to roof projections hanging over municipal streets, after proper penalties, and non-industrial use be allowed in industrial areas.

In response, the Opposition BJP deplored the provisions of the 'Master Plan 2021' saying it betrayed the people's aspirations and was a roadmap for Delhi's destruction and joined the chorus of 'shame, shame' to the Bill's introduction.

Leader of Opposition Jagdish Mukhi said the draft Master Plan was a ''death warrant for Delhiites'' and tailor-made to the suggestions of Chief Minister Sheila Dikashit and the attempt to introduce the Bill the day was a ploy to get the House's approval through subterfuge.

''Certain provisions in it talk of uprooting unauthorised colonies that would 'throw' nearly 35 lakh people on the streets, which was starkly anti-people and suicidal.'' Suggesting that all unauthorised colonies be regularised without any development fee, Dr Mukhi said 'Master Plan 2021' does not mention the availiblity of basics facilities like water and electricity.

Pointing to various anomalies in the 'Master Plan', the BJP leader said while 75 per cent of the floor has been allowed as built-up area, this was contradicted in the 'Master Plan 2021' which also talks of reduced covered ground area.

Independent MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri asked the government to incorporate the various suggestions put forward by the public while denouncing the role of the Delhi Development Authority in the city's planning.

''While traders are being punished through demolitions and sealings, none of the DDA officials were being punished''.

It was surprising that Commonwealth Games 2010 were just about three years away and the place for the games village had not been finalised, putting at stake the nation's prestige, he added.

Mr Bidhuri also tried to present an obituary reference in favour of deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, but was not allowed due to the din created by the opposition BJP members.

In their suggestions, Dr Narendra Nath called for setting of a Delhi Development Board and Mange Ram Garg of a Zonal Development Board for a 'proper lookafter' of Delhi.

Mahabal Mishra and Bheeshm Sharma, both of the Congress, also trashed the 'Master Plan 2021' saying such plans could not be made sitting in air conditioned rooms and uprooting people.

UNI