AAP Accuses MCD Commissioner of Obstructing De-Sealing Work

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th Jan. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday accused MCD Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti of obstructing the de-sealing of shops that were sealed by the corporation due to alleged land use violations.

The party claims that the commissioner, under the influence of the BJP-led central government, has refused to comply with court orders and a resolution passed in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House.

The de-sealing process was supposed to begin on January 19, but it is now expected to be delayed until January 29 when the court will hear the matter. Since 2017, thousands of shops have been sealed by the MCD for violating commercial property land use norms.

In December 2021, the Supreme Court’s judicial committee declared sealing unlawful and ordered that conversion charges should not be imposed on shops built on commercial land. The AAP government of the MCD passed a resolution to de-seal the shops, but the commissioner has refused to comply.

The AAP leaders have expressed their support for the traders and have vowed to continue fighting for their rights.

The sealing drive by the MCD affected several markets in Delhi, including Defence Colony, Rajinder Nagar, GK, Green Park, Hauz Khas, and South Extension.

The Supreme Court later formed a judicial committee to address the sealing and de-sealing issues after traders approached the court. The resolution passed in the House to de-seal the shops was not accepted by the commissioner, leading to the matter being taken back to the Supreme Court.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a meeting with the MCD commissioner and the Minister of Urban Development to discuss the issue. Despite written instructions from the mayor and a proposal passed by the House, the commissioner has not complied.