Land mafia & demolition ban
Arun Banerjee
Ambika Pandit |
New Del |
The order follows complaints that the Kejriwal government’s recent direction banning demolition was being misused by the land mafia to push for illegal constructions in the city.
The cabinet decision on ban on demolitions was largely a reiteration of provisions of the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act extended by the Centre till 2017. The central law protects all unauthorized colonies, illegal constructions and slums that came up till June 2014.
To prevent misuse and misinterpretation of the order, the Urban development department has advised the revenue department, municipal corporations and other civic agencies that no fresh illegal construction must be allowed.
As executors of building bylaws, district magistrates and SDMs have to keep a watch in their areas and municipal corporation and the onus on checking all fresh construction lies with them. The order from state has made land owning agencies and monitoring departments responsible for the ground situation. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in his first cabinet meeting on February 16 issued directions banning demolition of “houses and jhuggis, etc“ in the capital.Except for fresh encroachments on public land and demolitions as per court orders, all departments and civic agencies would have to seek the approval of UD min
