Commenting on the sealing drive in Mayapuri and the violence that ensued on April 13, former Union Urban Development Minister and Congress leader Ajay Maken said that it was the duty of the UD Ministry to resolve any conflict that emerged as a result of court orders.

He added that the BJP government had failed to protect the interests of the traders as well as looking after environmental concerns.

Fine-tuning

“There should have been a way out wherein the environment concerns should have been addressed and the concerns of the small traders and businessmen who are dependent on the small businesses that they run for a livelihood are taken care of. This fine-tuning between the two things has to be done by the Union Urban Development Ministry because land in Delhi comes under their jurisdiction,” said Mr. Maken.

The Congress leader said that during the time that he was the Urban Development Minister between 2006 to 2009, there were many court orders for sealing but his Ministry brought ordinances to protect the rights of the traders.

Resolve conflict

“The job of the UD Ministry is to ensure that the conflict is resolved and there is no dispute between warring factions. If there is any environment issue on one hand and an employment issue involving many people on the other hand, such issues should be resolved. Bulldozer is not the answer. Bringing in the ITBP force is not the answer,” Mr. Maken said.

He added that it was the duty of the Urban Development Ministry to resolve such issues by relocating industries as it controlled land allotment so that no jobs were lost.