Farm houses not to be spared

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAY 23. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has ordered persecution of farmhouses which were violating High Court directives and renting out premises to third parties for any social gathering, party or marriage other than personal use.

``It has come to our notice that many farmhouses have been exploiting this provision for commercial purposes. Prosecution has also been launched in a number of cases. This drive, which includes sealing and demolition of properties will now be intensified,'' assured the Municipal Commissioner, Mr. S. P. Aggarwal, at the MCD Standing Committee meeting here today.

Responding to queries raised by members, Mr. Aggarwal conceded that the civic officials had slackened in their enforcement and prosecution against those farm houses who have been ``grossly violative'' of rules. Farm houses were not permitted to construct additional structure for such functions, he added.

Earlier, in his reply to the short-notice inquiry of the BJP Councillor from Gulmohar Park, Ms. Arti Mehra, the Commissioner denied that there existed a strong nexus between the tent mafia and MCD officials due to which marriage pandals were permanently pitched in many MCD parks.

``We rent out a park for social functions for 10 days a month as per the High Court directive to local residents, he said, adding that only 50 per cent of the over 11,597 MCD parks were being given out for such purposes.

As for erection of pandals on private land, he said even temporary constructions were permitted at these places and that too in accordance with the building by-laws. ``The Additional Commissioner (Engineering) has been asked to initiate action in case of any violation,'' he said.

According to him, the MCD has filed a review petition before the Court for permitting 120 days for social functions per year as against the present 10 days per month. Mr. Aggarwal said. The civic body had plans to have computerised booking of these parks for marriage functions. ``It all depends on the proposal which is pending with the Planning Department of the Delhi Government,'' he said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : MCD not to privatise parks
Next     : Power row unresolved