East Corpn meeting adjourned over unauthorised colonies

Uproar when BJP members call Dikshits move mere political stunt

While the Delhi government is yet to notify the regularisation of 917 unauthorised colonies in the City, political posturing between the Congress and the BJP has already begun.

The standing committee meeting of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation was adjourned on Thursday after the ruling BJP and opposition Congress members sparred over the decision of Delhi government to regularise 917 unauthorised colonies in the City.

Political stunt

The issue was raised in the meeting by BJP member Mahendra Ahuja, who termed the decision of the Delhi government “as a political stunt by the Shiela Dikshit government”. The opposition members objected to the statement, which led to an uproar at the meeting. Members of both the parties raised anti and pro-Sheila Dikshit slogans.

While the standing committee chairman requested opposition members to reply after BJP member had put forth his views, opposition members refused to budge. The chairman later adjourned the meeting.

“The Delhi government is regularising these colonies so that all civic amenities could be provided  to the residents. But BJP is playing politics over the issue as they know they would be defeated for the fourth time in a row in the Assembly elections,” said Varyam Kaur, leader of opposition in the East Corporation.

Meanwhile, standing committee chairman Mehak Singh defended the BJP members who raised the issue in the meeting. “It is still not clear what benifits would the regularisation bring in for the residents in these colonies. Is the government coming up with a layout plan which is necessary for clearing a building plan? What would be the rules for residential and commercial land use? These are the questions which have not been answered,” said Singh.    

The BJP leader that the government needs to clear issues regarding the councillors’ development fund. In a significant number of unauthorised colonies which are being regularised within the jurisdiction of the East Corporation.