Traders, residents hail move

NEWDELHI: Traders and residents have welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to modify its order, staying the proposed amendments in the Delhi Master Plan 2021.

The court has asked the Centre to seek objections and suggestions within in 15 days.

Traders demanded an immediate suspension of the sealing action by the monitoring committee until the changes are finalised and notified by the urban development ministry. The modifications in MPD were approved by the DDA on February 27.

Praveen Khandelwal, national secretary general of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said it was a welcome move. He said the court should also direct the monitoring committee to follow “due process of law before taking any action”.

“De-sealing should be started and charges of ₹1 lakh fixed by the court committee for de- sealing should be withdrawn as these charges are contrary to the rules,” he said.

Pawan Arora, president of Lajpat Nagar United Society, said last time it (hearing on objections and suggestions) happened in a haphazard manner.he said people should be given adequate time to post their objections.

“A common ground must be found to ensure that the property owners are not harassed and the government dioes not lose revenue,” Arora said.

After a five-day public hearing on proposed changes to the master plan, the DDA approved the amendments on February 27. The amendments permitted a uniform 350 FAR for shop-cum-residential plots, use of basement to run businesses and rationalisation of conversion charges.

The aim was to provide relief to traders and property owners facing sealing threat for alleged violation of municipal norms.

On March 7, however, the apex court stayed the changes as DDA failed to respond to its query on whether it had undertaken a study to assess the environment impact of the changes in the plan.

Vijender Gupta, leader of the opposition in Delhi Assembly, who is also a member of DDA, said that the court order is binding hence appropriate action will be taken accordingly. “We will invite public responses, study them and appropriate changes would be made in MPD,” said the BJP leader, who was also member of five-member committee set up for the public hearing.

On the other hand, Rajesh Kumar Jain, commissioner (planning) of DDA, said a decision would be taken after reading the order. “Until we do not see a copy of the decision, we will not comment on the issue because most of the time, a lot happens in the court but nothing comes out in the order. It has happened on several occasions,” he said.

Vijay Kumar, president of Market Association South Extension Part I, lauded the SC order but said 45 days should have been given to register suggestions.