Municipal corporations plan mercy plea to postpone sealing drive, Kejriwal writes to L-G

All major political parties in Delhi on Thursday sought immediate suspension of sealing of the properties for alleged flouting of civic norms

New Delhi

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All major political parties in Delhi on Thursday sought immediate suspension of sealing of the properties for alleged flouting of civic norms with the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urging the L-G that the drive under the SC-appointed monitoring committee was causing “unimaginable losses”.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, issued separate appeals for stopping the action which has triggered protests by the traders in the Capital.

Citing four possibilities for ending the problems, Kejriwal wrote to L-G, “Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for local shopping centres should be increased from 180 to 300. Penalties on delayed payment of conversion charges should be waived off.”

The AAP and the Congress urged the Centre to amend the Delhi master plan and also bring an ordinance to grant immunity to properties facing sealing threat. The Delhi BJP, which is in power in the three municipal corporations, decided to file a ‘mercy petition’ before the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal seeking his intervention to resolve the issue.

“We appeal to the L-G to call a meeting of all stakeholders -- the Delhi government, the Union government, MCDs, DDA, NDMC and other departments — to ensure that a common advocate appears before the court on behalf of all of them to seek one year’s time for the traders and residents to complete the regularisation formalities,” Tiwari said.

Accusing the BJP-ruled municipal corporations and the AAP government of laxity, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken said the action was destroying the livelihoods of the people in the city.

He demanded that instead of private individuals, the corporations and the government should approach the court for relief from sealing.

“The Centre and state governments should immediately intervene, remove the anomalies in the master plan, and increase FAR for local shopping complexes. De-sealing of the basements and other premises should be done and status quo be maintained in special areas till a redevelopment plan is made,” Maken said.

Sealing in North Delhi

As many as 60 commercial establishments were sealed in North Delhi on Thursday for misuse of commercial properties for residential use.

Of the sealed properties 12 buildings are in Narela, 32 in Old Rajendra Nagar, including parts of six banks, 12 in Azad Market, 12 in Narela, four in Paschim Vihar, and one in Tilak Nagar.