DDA extends date of public hearing

Maken puts forth his suggestions

Congress workers and traders take out a ‘Shav Yatra’ against the sealing drive in the Capital on Monday.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Monday said that the last date for the public hearing regarding the proposed amendments to the Delhi Master Plan-2021 has been extended to Wednesday.

“Since February 3 and 4 were Saturday and Sunday and pursuant to public demand, the competent authority has decided to further extend the time period for two days up to February 7, till 6 p.m. for inviting objections or suggestions with respect to the proposed modifications” the DDA said in a public notice.

In a meeting chaired by L-G Anil Baijal, who is also the chairman of the DDA, on February 2, the authority had said that in accordance with the Central government notification, the period of public hearing would be restricted to three days.

Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Maken on Monday put forth his suggestions and objections to the proposed amendments.

‘No justification’

“There is no justification in charging annual conversion charges for more than 10 years as the rates of conversion charges as calculated in regulations of 2006 as amended on June 22, 2007, clearly indicate that the annual conversion charges were for 10 years and one-time conversion charges were eight times the annual conversion charges” Mr. Maken said in his letter to the DDA.

Mr. Maken also said that apart from the Delhi government, the DDA should be authorised to notify 251 streets and other notification on the recommendation of the concerned local bodies.