MCD to Centre: amend Delhi Laws (Spl Prov) Act to stop sealing

New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) The Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi today passed a resolution urging the Centre to introduce in the Lok Sabha an amended Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2007 to include a ban on sealing and demolition in pre-1962 colonies, unauthorised colonies as well as non-notified roads.

The resolution, introduced in the House by Standing Committee deputy chairman Yogendra Chandolia, was passed amid much uproar from the opposition benches with members of the Congress saying the resolution would not help to avert the impending sealing in these areas.

It is notable that the Supreme Court has ordered that sealing in commercial units in these areas be started in the next three weeks.

The resolution also demands in the purview of the Act giving clearance to construction of a third storey on which the court has placed a ban even though it is under the provisions of the 2021 Master Plan.

Later, addressing a press meet, Leader of the House in the MCD Subhash Arya and Standing Committee Chairman, Vijender Gupta demanded that the Bill being brought by the Centre in the ongoing session of Parliament, include provision of regularisation of 1500 unauthorised colonies, permission for commercial activities in residential colonies existing from before 1962 and commercial activities on non-notified roads.

''A blanket ban should be imposed for one year on sealing and demolition in these areas as it would enable lakhs of people to earn their livelihood to foster their families,''Mr Arya and Mr Gupta said, adding that without implementing a general amnesty scheme, sealing and demolition action could not be stopped.

To put pressure on the Centre, all municipal councillors of the BJP will stage a dharna tomorrow at Jantar Mantar to put forward their demands.

UNI