JOIN USSlums mushroom after ban on demolitions: Councillors
Councillors of both the ruling and opposition parties in North Corporation alleged that people have started setting up slums in parks and open spaces after the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘ban’ on demolitions in the city.
The Aam Aadmi Party government on Monday had put a ban on demolitions as per Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act 2014 that protects unauthorised constructions and jhuggi jhopris which had come up till June 2014.
Leader of House in the North civic agency Meera Aggarwal said over 100 jhuggi jhopris have been set up in Sawan Park in Civil Lines Zone. “I have just got a call more slums are being put up in the area,” Aggarwal said.
Virender Babbar, a councillor from Pahar Ganj, said, “While coming to the Civic Centre today I have noticed tents and other material lined up near Ramesh Nagar drain, which clearly shows that jhuggis will come up there too.”
Even Chairman of the Standing Committee of North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mohan Prasad Bhardwaj said jhuggi jhopris are being put up in the city.
“Slums have been coming up in the around 10-acre area in Ghoga Dairy in Narela. I have seen myself,” Bhardwaj added.
Councillors asked the chairman of the standing committee whether any action will be taken against any illegal construction or encroachment that has taken place after June 2014.
“Will you take any action on the illegal constructions that have come up till February 2015?” asked Mukesh Goel, Leader of Opposition in North Corporation.
“The Delhi CM is making empty promises to people. Now will we be following the Delhi government’s directives or the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, 1957 according to which the civic agencies are run,” Goel added.
To which Bhardwaj replied that the North Corporation will follow the DMC Act. “We will do what a civic agency is supposed to do according to the DMC Act. And if the government asks us to follow their directive which will hinder our functioning we will not comply.”