Encroachment and unauthorised development in capital: Govt

New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) The Central Government today admitted in the Supreme Court that the increased population in Delhi, owing to migration and other factors, has resulted in widespread encroachments and unauthorised development, violating the concept of land development and building bye-laws made under Master Plan Delhi 2001.

Earlier in its gazette notification, the Central Government had promulgated an Ordinance providing protection to the residents of about 1500 unauthorised and unregularised colonies spread all over Delhi.

The Ordinance, which was promulgated last week will remain inforce till December 31, 2008 and seeks to regularise all unauthorised colonies which had come up till March 31, 2002.

The copy of the Ordinance was placed in the Supreme Court.

The Ordinance is clearly an attempt to over reach the Supreme Court's directions that all commercial activities in these unauthorised colonies will cease after three weeks. Only shops falling in 24 categories, having a maximum area of not more than 20 sq mt were exempted from sealing.

Named as National Capital Teritory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Ordinance 2007, the ordinance will come into effect from May 19.

The Ordinance seeks to protect all unauthorised constructions, encroachments and commercial activity being carried out from residential areas till the government prepares detailed guidelines in accordance with Masterplan Delhi 2001, including protection to street vendors, hawkers, slum dwellers and JJ clusters.

The Supreme Court will hear the argument on the sealing issue next month.

UNI