'Choosy' policy on sealing incurs MCD chief's ire

The 'pick and choose' policy adopted by several MCD officials while carrying out sealing and demolition action in the city has invited the municipal commissioner's wrath.

The 'pick and choose' policy adopted by several MCD officials while carrying out sealing and demolition action in the city has invited the municipal commissioner's wrath.

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The commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in a meeting directed all staff members, including the deputy commissioners of all zones, to ensure uniform action is taken against all illegal properties in the city.

"The commissioner called a meeting wherein he said that a number of complaints were received about action not being taken on illegal properties. He has given directions that all properties that have carried out illegal construction are liable for action. Strict action would be taken against all those officers who are found guilty," said Deep Mathur, director press and information, MCD.

"Those who are ready to shell out money can carry out illegal construction and get away with it easily. But action is taken against those who are not able to bribe the engineers. If MCD has started taking action against illegal properties it should take action against all rather than targeting some," said a resident who did not wish to be named.

In 2010, the civic agency booked only 5,589 properties, though illegal construction is rampant across the city. There are more than 30 lakh properties in the city and it is one of the chief jobs of the MCD to crack down on illegal construction.

The civic agency started acting tough against illegal constructions after a building with illegal floors collapsed in east Delhi in November last year killing 71 persons.

However, residents claim that the sealing and demolition squad has not been taking action on all illegal properties uniformly.