Giving a much-needed respite to residents and traders of Delhi the Centre has directed Delhi government to halt the sealing drive against unauthorised structures till December 2008. This will also be applicable to the construction that came up before December 2005.
The order from came from Union Urban Development Ministry under the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provision) Act, 2007, which authorised ministry to issue directives to local administration.
As per the ministry the local administration is asked to de-seal unauthorised commercial buildings and maintain status quo as on January 01, 2006. In case of unauthorised colonies that came up before Dec 2005 the extension of status quo will be maintained as on Feb 08, 2007.
Though the Centre has directed the local administration but the Municipal Corporation is yet to figure out the areas in which the un-authorised structures demolition to be suspended and which complex to de-seal.
Now delhiites got some relief till Dec 31 to open up their shops or commercial establishments for which no punitive action will be taken against them as per present Centre’s directives.
Delhi Demolition Drive
The Sealing drive in the capital that started in 2006 by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to seal unauthorised commercial establishments in residential areas did witness large-scale violent protests across the capital by trader community.
In fact it all began in 1996 when the Supreme Court instructed to close down small-scale industries inside the capital that works under residential areas. Though it was an effort to take the Delhi Master Plan 2021 the Central government introduced a bill suspending sealing.
However, the apex court ruled out that and in Aug 24, 2006 ordered for action against all illegal commercial establishments not covered under the Delhi Laws (Special Provision Act) 2006.
Massive protests led to death of four people in Sep 20, 2006 and in October, the Supreme Curt gave some relief by suspending sealing for a temporary period.
In Nov 2006, Delhi government did make several amendments in 2001 Delhi Master Plan permitting a mixed land use for commercial and residential purposes. But that didn’t go well with the starting of sealing again by MCD; taking note of the places that was not mentioned in the new plan.
The Supreme Court had to hear several petition-PIL’s from trading organisation and even the Central government had to tell the court that the sealing drive can not be continued further taking note of the law and order situation of the capital. However, SC refused to grant any relief to traders.
As the amended Delhi Master Plan allows more flexible guidelines in terms of commercial establishments, the MCD since slow down the process. This can be seen as a political move, as the capital is set to go for assembly elections and BJP-ruled MCD too termed it as a “political stunt” of Congress-ruled Delhi.
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