Councillors at the East Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee meeting on Thursday raised concerns over alleged “wrongful sealing” being carried out in east Delhi.
BJP councillors claimed that empty properties that were not violating rules were being sealed by civic officials. Properties that have acquired household licences and those in commercial areas were being targeted, they alleged.
Objections were raised after notices were issued to multiple factories being run in Vishwas Nagar. EDMC Commissioner Ranbir Singh told the committee that many property owners in the area had been given alternative plots but still continued to operate illegally.
“They have been issued show-cause notices following directions by the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee. Further course of action will be decided based on their response,” he said.
One councillor contended that the replies sent by property owners were not examined properly by officials because of which they were sealed. Opposition councillor Rekha claimed small factories where low-income people worked were being targeted.
Mr. Singh said he had directed officials to seal large properties first, however small properties will also be sealed if found illegal. In response to demands by some members for verification, he assured the panel that videos and photographs of sealing will be taken henceforth.