Only DDA can solve sealing crisis: Saurabh Bharadwaj

NEW DELHI: Reacting sharply to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's letter stating that constructive suggestions must be sought from the Delhi government to deal with the sealing drive, AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday said that the DDA – headed by the LG – alone can resolve the "crisis".

Earlier, in a letter addressed to Bharadwaj, the LG "strongly" advised against any attempt to trivialise the matter related to sealing.

Bharadwaj said, "I feel very honoured to receive a reply from the LG's office via a press release. The LG has suggested us to send our suggestions to the Urban Development Ministry, Delhi government. This requires certain clarifications from DDA."

"Large portion of the sealing can be immediately halted by amending the Master Plan 2021 to accommodate the increased FAR and other changes. This plan can only be amended by DDA and the LG is its chairman," he added

"This does not require anything from the Urban Development department of Delhi government. This has to be done by the DDA alone, which comes under the BJP's Central Government and the LG is the chairperson of DDA," BharAdwaj said, effectively passing the buck back to the LG.

On Monday, in a reply to Bharadwaj's letter where he raised the issue of ongoing sealing of shops/ commercial properties, the LG had sought "constructive" suggestions to deal with the sealing drive.

In his letter, Baijal appreciated the Greater Kailash MLA's concerns, but strongly advised against "any attempt to trivialise the matter."

Later in the day, many AAP MLAs, led by Bharadwaj, waited for over an hour on the footpath at the narrow lane leading to Raj Niwas Secretariat office, for a meeting on changes to Delhi's Master Plan, which would provide relief to those affected by sealing drive

The LG stated that he had already held a number of meetings and met and heard various stakeholders including delegations representing the shopkeepers/traders, to understand all the facets of this critical issue.

He mentioned that "all possible solutions are being explored to overcome the crisis, keeping in view the judicial pronouncements on the subject and extant laws."

Baijal stated that "it is a complex matter and in case the MLAs have some suggestions to offer, they can communicate these in writing, or better still, through the Minister (Urban Development), GNCTD as Urban Development is the department responsible for processing some of the possible solutions, like notification of mixed land use streets."

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged the LG for an appointment on Tuesday morning alongwith all MPs, MLAs and councilor of the national Capital in view of resolving the issue.