Demolitions in illegal colonies put on hold

Putting all demolitions in unauthorised colonies on hold, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said her cabinet would review the constitution of the special task force (STF).

Putting all demolitions in unauthorised colonies on hold, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said her cabinet would review the constitution of the special task force (STF).

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The STF was constituted earlier this year to check unauthorised constructions and land mafia in the Capital.

While the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) acts against illegal constructions in authorised colonies, the corporation has no power to act on any complaint of illegal construction in unauthorised colonies.

The government had constituted the task force, one team in each of the nine sub-divisions, and had empowered it to register police cases and act under the criminal procedure code and the Indian penal code.

Responding to a complaint by Bawana MLA Surender Kumar, Dikshit said her government was aware of the harassment faced by the residents of such colonies in the name of action against illegal construction and assured that no demolitions will take place in the city till further orders.

"We had told the STF not to take any action during the monsoon season. But we have been getting complaints against the task force. The cabinet is reviewing it. We will take legal opinion and request the Lieutenant Governor about it. Till we decide, no demolition will take place," Dikshit said.