LG gets cracking on land grabbing

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 22: LT governor Vijai Kapoor has served an ultimatum on all the civic agencies to take stock of the Government land al...

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 22: LT governor Vijai Kapoor has served an ultimatum on all the civic agencies to take stock of the Government land allotted to them and submit their reports to the Raj Niwas within two months or face action.

In a strongly worded letter sent to civic agencies, including the DDA, MCD, NDMC, Forest Department and PWD, Kapoor says that they should 8220;update registers of property8221; and 8220;ensure that their lands remain free from encroachments or unauthorised occupation through physical inspections.8221;

They, except the PWD, are directed to submit their report by the last week of March 1999. The PWD being a large holder of land, has been given three months to furnish its report.

Kapoor apparently took this decision following reports of massive encroachment on the Government land the Ridge area in particular. He also referred to the Comptroller and Auditor General8217;s report, which criticises the DDA for the 8220;absence of a comprehensive and accurate inventory of its land and built properties.8221;

8220;I have asked the DDA to contract out the preparation of such an inventory to some firm of professionals and mobilise its own staff to extend all the requisite assistance by way of records and survey and measurement works,8221; Kapoor says. The MCD, NDMC, Delhi Vidyut Board and Delhi Jal Board have also been asked to take similar action.

The Raj Niwas spokesperson says Kapoor has made it clear that their records of land must reconcile with records of the Land department of the Delhi Government.

On the encroached land, Kapoor says that he has already instructed Police Commissioner V.N. Singh to tell his SHOs to provide assistance to the civic agencies on demand. And if these encroachments are made on the pretext of litigations, the civic agencies 8220;must arrange for strong defence of their cases to secure early vacation of the stay orders,8221; he adds.

Story continues below this ad

Once the reports are submitted, Secretary, Land, will present the aggregate picture to Chief Secretary Omesh Saigal, Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and Kapoor himself. Kapoor came down heavily on the Forest Department for negligence of aspects of afforestation after a recent visit to a Gaon Sabha land Mukhmailpur village. Kapoor has directed the Conservator of Forests to review all the lands under his charge and prepare a programme for fencing and planting starting from March.

Kapoor has said that the deputy commissioners and sub-divisional magistrates will be held 8220;personally responsible for accurate listing, demarcation and protection of Gaon Sabha lands.8221; On pending litigations on acquisition, Kapoor said, 8220;I understand that over 2,300 cases are pending and they should be handled with greater seriousness.8221;

On the 8,000 cases emerging after repealing the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act, he has asked the Chief Secretary to assign a team of officers, headed by an additional secretary to review the cases.