The Times of India 22.02.2013
Unauthorized buildings: Special task force’s wings clipped
NEW DELHI: Following lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna's order, the Delhi government in March 2011 set up a special task force
(STF) under the sub-divisional magistrates. The task force was
empowered to go tough on unauthorized constructions and crack down on
land mafia. Two years down the line, the government has stripped the
body of powers to act on "unauthorized constructions in municipal
jurisdictions".
An order by the revenue department issued to all districts on January 18 reiterates the April 2012 cabinet decision that clipped STF's wings by directing the SDMs to steer clear of checking illegal constructions and leaving it to the corporations to issue notices. The SDM's role has been restricted to the gram sabha land under the revenue department.
The order, issued by Delhi's divisional commissioner and revenue secretary Dharampal, has been sent to all 11 deputy commissioners and the SDMs in the districts.
The cabinet decision came soon after the municipal elections in 2012 where the BJP swept all three corporations, dealing a blow to Congress which heads the Delhi government. "Each corporation can concentrate on checking unauthorized construction, both in private buildings and on government land," the cabinet decision had asserted.
Dharampal's order goes on to point that despite the cabinet decision, the officials of the revenue department had been checking the unauthorized constructions and even notices were issued by the SDMs in the areas falling under their jurisdiction. Prevention and checking of unauthorized constructions falls under the municipal corporations and DDA, and the revenue department has nothing to do with the subject of unauthorized constructions and application of building bylaws, he said. The order comes despite the fact that land does not come under the state jurisdiction. Moreover, the LG's order prevails as only he can revoke or amend it.
STF was constituted on March 30, 2011. Each SDM was to chair the body in his subdivision. STF was empowered to launch prosecutions and police were to register cases on their complaints. It was said non-compliance by cops would be considered as disobedience of orders and would be punishable under Indian Penal Code.
An order by the revenue department issued to all districts on January 18 reiterates the April 2012 cabinet decision that clipped STF's wings by directing the SDMs to steer clear of checking illegal constructions and leaving it to the corporations to issue notices. The SDM's role has been restricted to the gram sabha land under the revenue department.
The order, issued by Delhi's divisional commissioner and revenue secretary Dharampal, has been sent to all 11 deputy commissioners and the SDMs in the districts.
The cabinet decision came soon after the municipal elections in 2012 where the BJP swept all three corporations, dealing a blow to Congress which heads the Delhi government. "Each corporation can concentrate on checking unauthorized construction, both in private buildings and on government land," the cabinet decision had asserted.
Dharampal's order goes on to point that despite the cabinet decision, the officials of the revenue department had been checking the unauthorized constructions and even notices were issued by the SDMs in the areas falling under their jurisdiction. Prevention and checking of unauthorized constructions falls under the municipal corporations and DDA, and the revenue department has nothing to do with the subject of unauthorized constructions and application of building bylaws, he said. The order comes despite the fact that land does not come under the state jurisdiction. Moreover, the LG's order prevails as only he can revoke or amend it.
STF was constituted on March 30, 2011. Each SDM was to chair the body in his subdivision. STF was empowered to launch prosecutions and police were to register cases on their complaints. It was said non-compliance by cops would be considered as disobedience of orders and would be punishable under Indian Penal Code.
