E-Paper
Nobody ready to crack the whip
THE HIT list of over three dozen illegal constructions provided to LESA authorities by the LDA for snapping power connections is gathering dust. If the reason, or rather the excuse, being offered by the LESA authorities is anything to go by, it seems unlikely that any action would ever be taken against the illegal multi-storied structures.
Demolish and we’ll snap their power, Lesa tells LDA
THE HIT list of over three dozen illegal constructions provided to LESA authorities by the LDA for snapping power connections is gathering dust. If the reason, or rather the excuse, being offered by the LESA authorities is anything to go by, it seems unlikely that any action would ever be taken against the illegal multi-storied structures.
In a pre-emptive move the LDA in the wake of High Court ordered demolitions of illegal constructions in Delhi, had not only published a long-list of unathorised buildings in the city but also written to the LESA in May seeking disconnection of their power supply. A copy of the list was also sent to Jal Sansthan for severing the water connections of these structures. Two months have gone by but not a single power or water connection has been snapped either by the LESA or the Jal Sansthan.
But while Jal Sansthan officials have kept mum so far, the LESA authorities seemed to have bowled a googly to the LDA on the issue. They have put the ball back in the LDA’s court. Their (LESA) tailor-made reply has flummoxed the bosses in the LDA: Let us know the date on which you (LDA) intend to demolish these illegal structures and we will cut the power connection prior to the demolition exercise.
Needless to add, the mandarins in the development agency, who had astutely passed the buck to the LESA on the matter and were sitting pretty, are once again in a tight spot. They have been compelled to do a rethink and redraft their strategy even since the matter was raised in the High Court here on Thursday during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation. The HC has summoned the LDA Secretary on the next hearing in the case.
