New Delhi: In keeping with one of its key pre-poll promises, Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government on Monday issued directions to various agencies not to carry out any demolition across the city until it reviews the existing policies governing demolitions.
Monday was the first working day of the AAP government, which called its first Cabinet meeting which passed such directions to different agencies.
The new government also directed the departments of finance and power to “immediately send their proposals for implementation of the election promises to slash electricity tariffs by 50 per cent till the audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of the private power companies (discoms) is completed, and also on the provision of lifeline water (up to 20,000 litres for every household per month)”, Indian Express reported.
In the Assembly poll, the Aam Aadmi Party had promised that no demolition would be carried out in the city if it came to power.
“Government has decided to take a holistic view on the existing policy of carrying out demolitions of houses in residential areas and jhuggies,” a senior government official said.
The official also said that the government has issued directions to various agencies – New Delhi Municipal Council, North, East and South Delhi Municipal Corporations, Delhi Jal Board, environment and forests, revenue departments, among others to not carry out any demolition till this review is completed.
He also said that in case any demolition has already been planned or is in the pipeline, the agency concerned will have to seek prior approval of the urban development minister.
However, the official clarified that this order will not apply to action taken in pursuance of courts orders.
He also said that the government has intended to complete this review at the earliest.
“Government has clearly asked concerned agencies to strictly follow its directions on this issue,” he said.
Two days ago, a group of people had protested outside Kejriwal’s home against the demolition of slums in Shahdara in east Delhi.
The Delhi government also announced that the cabinet had decided to recommend the first session of the newly elected Delhi Assembly on February 23 and 24 for the swearing-in of MLAs and election of the speaker and his deputy, the Express report added.
Apart from this, Delhi’s home minister, Jitender Singh Tomar, said he would soon begin work with the Home Guard to ensure the AAP promise of setting up the Mahila Suraksha Dal — a women’s security force made up of a 10,000 home guards who currently work as help at the residences of senior officers and ministers.
