The UPA government is looking extremely busy in taking decisions to make the common people happy. On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved a second Ordinance to freeze the ongoing sealing drive in Delhi.

The new ordinance would reportedly include the commercial establishments running in the 1500 unauthorised colonies across Delhi. It has also included the godowns being used for agricultural purposes. The shops and godowns were excluded from the first Ordinance passed by the Union cabinet in May.

It was a big relief for the people living in the 1500 unauthorised colonies and for the people who have their commercial establishments in such colonies. The Union I& B Minister PR Dasmunsi told media persons during a press conference that the Union Cabinet approved the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Ordinance, 2007. It would maintain the status quo in respect of many categories of unauthorised development.

The new Ordinance would help to maintain the status quo in different areas such as jhuggi-jhonpris, urban street vendors, unauthorised colonies, shops in these colonies; farm houses, houses that have constructed beyond permissible limits; schools, dispensaries, institutions running for religious and cultural cause; storages, warehouses and godowns used for agricultural inputs in rural areas and built on land for agricultural purpose

According to the report, the status quo for establishments in rural areas would be maintained as on January 31, 2006, while the status quo would be maintained for the shops running in unauthorised colonies as on February 8, 2007. On February 8, 2007, the government had taken the decision to regularise the unauthorised colonies.

The Union government had the plan to table the new bill in Parliament on last Monday but the Parliament adjourned sine die. Then, the government decided to pass the Ordinance to provide relief to the people. Though the Ordinance would be in operation only for six months and the government will have to table in Parliament during the winter session of Parliament.

Read