Norm violations alleged, MCD cancels permission for Eid event at park near Ramlila Maidan

New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Saturday cancelled the booking permission granted for the use of Nehru Hill Park near Ramlila Maidan for Eid celebrations after alleged violations of the prescribed terms and conditions.

According to an official order issued by the office of the assistant director (horticulture), the permission was granted to a member of a residents welfare association for the use of the park in the City-SP zone from May 21 to 27 for Eid-related festivities, subject to specific conditions laid down by the civic body.

However, MCD claimed to have observed certain activities at the site allegedly violating the terms. "Some violations were noticed and complaints regarding breach of norms were also received. Therefore, the permission was revoked. Normally, permission is granted only for festival gatherings, not for any other activity,” an MCD official told TOI.

The official also said MCD had found that sanitation and cleanliness norms were also not being properly maintained at the venue and the organisers had failed to obtain a no objection certificate from police. MCD has directed the organisers to vacate the site and remove all materials from the premises immediately. MCD has sought assistance from the local station house officer to ensure compliance with the directions.

While local residents and BJP functionaries alleged that the permission was misused to facilitate an illegal goat market, area MLA Aaley Mohammed Iqbal told TOI that MCD was being misled.

A delegation led by BJP’s Amit Gupta met chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday and demanded cancellation of the allotment, alleging that the permission was used to legitimise an illegal occupation of the park on Mata Sundari Road.

They alleged that some people had occupied it since May 8 and started operating a goat market ahead of Eid. The matter escalated following the park’s allotment to RWA member Mohammad Akhlaq against a charge of Rs 1.07 lakh, they claimed.

“There is no mention anywhere in the receipt about permission for a goat market. This is clearly a case of intimidating municipal officials and obtaining a receipt to legitimise an illegal activity,” Gupta alleged, adding that no goat market was organised at the park in the past several decades. Allowing such an activity inside a public park located in a mixed-population residential area was inappropriate, he argued. Gupta said CM had assured them that appropriate action would be taken.

AAP MLA Iqbal said MCD should not revoke the permission now under any circumstances. He alleged that MCD had been misled about goat slaughtering and sanitation issues at the site.

“The entire community is upset with the decision. This is a Muslim-dominated area and our festival is around the corner. After receiving the permission four days ago, people started making arrangements. Cancelling it at the last moment is not the right move," he said.