NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday directed the South district administration to provide families affected by the recent demolition drive in Mehrauli with tents, food and other basic amenities. This came two days after lieutenant governor VK Saxena directed Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to stop demolitions in Mehrauli and Ladha Sarai villages till further instructions.”Kejriwal has issued directions to provide affected families with tents, food, blankets and other basic amenities. He has directed the district administration to immediately swing into action and ensure that no family is hassled,” a government official said.The demolition drive came a month ahead of a proposed G20 meeting in South Delhi.”Given the severity of the situation, Kejriwal has approved a proposal to provide affected families with tents, food, blankets and other essential supplies. The file is now pending with the LG,” said Delhi government in a statement.”The DDA’s demolition drive left hundreds of people without shelter or basic amenities. Opposing this, Delhi government intervened to stop the demolition and ordered a fresh demarcation of the disputed area through orders of revenue minister Kailash Gahlot,” it added.”On February 9 and 10, the government had received representations from the residents of the affected area and MLA Somnath Bharti regarding the drive. It was stated in the said representations that the demarcation carried out was illegal and was neither done in accordance with law nor the principles of natural justice,” the government stated.The government further said that it was learnt that DDA had issued a demolition order on December 12 last year. However, the drive was started on February 10 and DDA recklessly demolished various old constructions, alleging that they stood on government land, it added.DDA earlier claimed that the demolition action was taken because the area was forest land. There is a comprehensive management plan for conservation of Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which will be implemented to make the place popular among tourists, including those coming from other countries, it stated.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/provide-tents-food-to-affected-people-in-mehrauli-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal/articleshow/97995072.cms