The Indian Express 05.04.2013
Four demolition drives put off, MC flouts HC orders
Despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders to carry out demolition drives in the city, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has postponed various drives planned due to one or another reason.
While, officially, the MC claims there are technical reasons for the postponement, sources say 'political pressure and influence' of building owners is proving to be a roadblock.
The MC, however, says the ''cancelled demolition drives will happen for sure after verifying the documents and following the whole process".
The postponed drives include one planned for Gur Mandi where 30 shops were to be demolished but the MC team came back empty-handed on March 13 after the temple committee and shopkeepers started protesting against it.
In the second incident, on March 21, in Talaab Bazaar area of the city, the issue again took religious overtones as the shops which were to be demolished were located near a temple. After 400 shopkeepers got together to oppose the drive, the MC team came back without touching a building.
The Haibowal Kalan demolition drive which was planned on April 2 met the same fate but with a different excuse.
Police officials showed inability to provide a security cover to MC officials, citing a test of head constables on the same date.
In its very recent action, the MC has again postponed the demolition drive at Salem Tabri which was planned for April 5.
The MC says they are scrutinising documents of buildings whose owners are claiming that they were built before 1995.
As per the HC orders, the buildings violating building bylaws and constructed after 1995 are to be demolished.
A source from the MC building branch said, "In Gur Mandi, the shops are owned by people having strong political background, and every time MC team reaches the spot, they are called back. In other areas like Talaab Bazaar too, political interference always makes the demolition unsuccessful."
However, the MC can land in serious trouble as the master plan for demolition drive was prepared on the guidelines of the Punjab and Haryana High Court itself.
MC commissioner R K Verma was not available for comment.
