RWA challenges govt.notification implementing Delhi Master Plan

New Delhi, Feb 9 (UNI) The Residents Welfare Associations today approached the Supreme Court challenging the government notification, implementing the 2021 Delhi Master Plan permitting commercial activities from residential areas in Delhi.

The Delhi Pradesh Citizen Council (DPCC), in its petition, has contended that the 2021 Delhi Master Plan has been brought in by the government solely with a view to upset and nullify the orders and directions of the Supreme Court which cannot be permitted.

The Master Plan has also given a free hand to the traders and land mafia including builders in the city to hold the entire city to ransom and all illegalities committed by the violaters of law till date have been legalised. The notification, dated February 7, 2007, brought in by the government has also made a provision for the regularisation of over 1400 illegal and unauthorised colonies spread all over the capital besides permitting the construction of additional floor by raising the permissible height a building in the city from 11m to 15m.

The petitioner's counsel, Jasbir Singh Malik has also appealed that the Master Plan is a glaring example of vote bank politics as it is clear from the Master Plan that it has been prepared keeping in view the forthcoming Municipal Corporation elections in Delhi.

The 2021 Delhi Master Plan has permitted commercial activities along 2183 roads in Delhi, partly nullifying the directions of the apex court as the Supreme Court has permitted commercial activities on these roads, subject to the condition of filing of affidavits by the traders to the effect that they would immediately cease commercial activities if the two notifications, dated September 7 and 15 , 2006, are quashed as illegal.

The Supreme Court, which had stayed the sealing operations till February 12 , will examine the Master Plan on Monday when the main case is coming up for hearing .

UNI