Date:01/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/01/stories/2006090124800300.htm

New Delhi

MCD to act tough

Staff Reporter

To file complaints against those who obstruct the drive

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to act tough against the citizens' elected representatives if they try to create any hindrance or obstruction when it begins its drive against illegal commercial establishments on Friday.

The civic body officials will give named complaints against such leaders to the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee so that further action can be initiated against them.

The civic body has not only formed five teams in each of the 12 zones to carry out the drive more efficiently but has also made special arrangements to tackle any resistance offered by the traders and residents whose properties are not covered under the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006.

"During the drive held earlier this year, a large number of elected representatives and political leaders, including MPs, MLAs and Councillors of both the Congress and the BJP, had created a lot of ruckus and disrupted the drive. As a result, the drive lost steam on several occasions, leaving us to face the wrath of the Supreme Court," said a senior civic body official, adding that police complaints would also be filed against them.

However, this time clear instructions have been issued to all the field staff and officers in charge of sealing and demolition teams to make daily report of the drive and name all those politicians who create trouble or disrupt the sealing drive, he said.

"With municipal elections just a few months away, politicians will try to create some trouble. However, we will try to ensure that all such politicians are exposed and we should not unnecessarily be blamed for any trouble or disruption during the drive," the official added.

The drive will target illegal commercial establishments that have come up on roads that are less than 80-foot wide.