Delhi Assembly passes resolution to trash DDA's land auction system

New Delhi, Sep 14 (UNI) Cutting across party lines, the Delhi Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution demanding the present auction system of land by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) be done away with as it was anti-people and anti-poor.

Adopting the resolution, Delhi Minister of Land and Building Mangat Ram Singhal said with the overall consent of the members, the House proposes that the old system of 'allotment of land' by the DDA be reinstated.

''The present system of auctioning of land by the DDA was leading to dissatisfaction among several sections of the society due to its anti-poor stance.'' Echoeing the members' concerns, the minister said no 'people's purpose' would be solved from any dispensation which buys the land at exorbitant prices during auctioning.

''Such organisations were not liable to accomodate poor man's concerns.'' Highlighting the reasons for the DDA switch-over to the present system, Mr Singhal said hospitals and schools, who benefitted from the 'allotment system', did not fulfil the terms and conditions on whose basis they got the land.

''Regular reports of violations of the provisions of allotment, like accomodating 25 per cent of the weaker sections in school seats and the poor in hospitals, led to the change in the system of land allotment by the DDA.'' Earlier in the day, soon after the House assembled for the day, Leader of Opposition Jagdish Mukhi of the BJP asked Speaker Prem Singh to ask the Chief Minister to take 'action' against Bhism Sharma (Congress), who had lowered the dignity of the House by pushing BJP MLA Saheb Singh Chauhan yesterday while he was speaking under Rule 280 on the construction of the Wazirabad bridge.

''Whatever happened was a slap on democracy and the member should apologise to the House for his despicable act.'' In reply, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said she strongly condemned yesterday's act of the member.

''I and my ministers join the members in strongly condemning yesterday's incident and we must ensure that any such incident should not take place in future.'' Stressing that a ''code of conduct'' needed to be followed in the House, Ms Dikshit said the dignity and decorum of the House could in no way be compromised.

Later, Mr Sharma offered his apologies to the House saying, ''I did not mean disrespect to anyone, but if anyone was hurt I apologise.'' Raising the issue of sex education in schools, Delhi BJP chief Harshvardhan said the move would have far-reaching consequences as it went against India's traditions and cultural ethos.

''The syllabus on 'sex education' has not been prepared keeping in mind our social mores and was more of a move to ape the decadent West.'' Requesting the Chair and House members to not see it as any party's perspective, but act on an individual basis keeping in mind our milieu and social concerns, Dr Harshvardhan said the very idea had been rejected by about a dozen states across the country.

UNI