Giving interim relief to Delhi residents, Parliament today passed a Bill seeking to prevent sealing of unauthorised commercial constructions in the city till December 31.
The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provision) Bill, moved by Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, was passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote without debate.
The measure, already passed by Lok Sabha, was approved in the Upper House amidst slogan shouting by Opposition members demanding a discussion on the WikiLeaks issue under Rule 176, which does not entail voting.
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The anti-sealing laws shall be deemed to have come into effect from January 1, 2011 after its enactment in Parliament.
Aiming to prevent sealing and demolition of a large number of unauthorised constructions, the Bill seeks to maintain status quo with respect to unauthorised colonies, including village abadis (settlements) and their extensions, storages, warehouses and godowns for farm produce and some other categories in the city.
The Bill also aims at extending the relief to urban villages.
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Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had restarted the sealing and demolition drive in the capital after the earlier ordinance expired on December 31 last year. The civic body was bound by orders of the Supreme Court to resume the sealing of unauthorised commercial properties.
Commercial establishments operating illegally in farm houses and other places in nearly 400 rural areas and urbanised villages of Delhi are expected to get a reprieve after the enactment of the Bill.