Ordinance to halt MCD demolitions likely

     New Delhi: Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy today said that the Centre was considering promulgating an ordinance to legalise the 'minor' illegal constructions which are now being razed down by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Addressing a press conference, he told reporters that he was considering the proposals made by Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit to promulgate an ordinance on the lines of the Maharashtra Government to legalise the illegal construction of the Ulhasnagar colony near Mumbai. He said that with the budget session about to start, it would not be possible to bring an ordinance to this effect, as of now, but added that the Centre was working to find solutions in this regard. Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken who has been newly inducted into the Union Cabinet, and is Member of Parliament from Delhi said that "solutions would be in place sooner than one could imagine." However, Reddy took a strong exception against the builder mafia network and said: "that stringent actions would be taken against the land grabbers and the highly influential people. "Big names will not be spared," he said.

Court refuses to stay demolition

     New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to stay demolitions on 2, MG Road, a fashion mall on Delhi's Mehrauli-Gurgaon road. The High Court will again hear the case on Tuesday. The high-profile designers owning shops at the MG 2 shopping mall had filed a writ petition seeking to quash Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) demolition orders. The court had earlier observed that the 'Lal Dora' area, where the malls were constructed, meant for villagers and they must not be commercialised. The petitioners, however, sought a stay on the ongoing demolitions on the ground that the constructions were made prior to the year 2000 and the court's order were applicable to constructions made after January 2001. On February 2, the MCD after demolishing 1, MG Road, had moved on to other unauthorised constructions on 2, MG Road.

     Meanwhile, ten high profile schools in the Vasant Kunj area of the city are likely to be served show cause notices about the illegal constructions in their schools. Some schools, including G D Goenka, Ryan International School and Vasant Valley Public School, have already been booked for unauthorised constructions inside their premises, while few others are likely to be targeted for holding classes inside their basement. The MCD has in the last one month, taken action against many illegal properties following the direction of the High Court. Citizens of Delhi have been crying foul over illegal constructions progressing at a tremendous pace in various areas even as the MCD claims to be targeting ongoing constructions. In all, according to the MCD, there are 3.2 million illegal constructions in the capital and it is expected that a Central panel will be appointed to assess which constructions can be regularised.

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