All party committee against demolitions to push for ‘humane approach’

Times News NetworkChandigarh: Issuance of a large number of demolition notices prompted residents of housing board units in Sector 41 to form an all-party committee with the objective of finding a permanent solution to the issue. The decision was taken at a public meeting held on Sunday, which was attended by thousands of residents anxious about the possibility of demolition.The all-party committee includes representatives of the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Members named in the committee are Harmohinder Lucky, Satinder Malhotra, Vijay Pal, Gurpreet Singh Gabi, Hardeep Singh Butela, Jasmanpreet, Nirmal Dutt and Ajit Singh. The move is aimed at enabling coordination across party lines to jointly address concerns of affected residents.Addressing the gathering, Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh Gabi said the issue was not limited to legal aspects but was also deeply connected with human sensitivities. He said issuing demolition notices without making concrete alternative arrangements was causing immense hardship to common people.Residents alleged that the Housing Board served the demolition notices abruptly and without giving adequate time, creating panic and confusion. Several families said they had been living in the area for years and that the sudden threat of eviction had disturbed their lives.Gurpreet Singh Gabi assured the residents that the all-party committee would soon meet the administration and departments concerned to seek relief. He said the committee would work towards getting the notices reviewed and would press the administration to adopt a humane approach.The Chandigarh Housing Board has asked allottees in sectors 41-A, 41-D, 45-A, 45-C, 45-D, 46, 47-C, 39-B and 29-8 to remove violations/encroachments on top priority to evade any cohesive action. The Board has also advised them to undertake restoration of structural components at their own level at the earliest.MSID:: 130041723 413 |