Thursday, April 5, 2018
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Inspite of very serious & shocking issues in the ARR petitions of DISCOMs, New Power Tariff expected today
Inspite of very serious & shocking issues in the ARR petitions of DISCOMs, they are going to announce the Power Tariff today at around 3pm. Shockingly, we the stakeholders were not at all informed/intimated about the Public hearing. We strongly oppose any such move of DERC. Let DERC announce the New Tariff, we will share the Shocking issues with the Media.
Do they have the right to collect the Conversion as well as the one time parking charges?
As per the Bare Act of DDA, ”Escrow Account" means a dedicated savings account held by the Local Body concerned not being operative unless the conditions for which it has been opened are fulfilled in accordance with the provisions of these regulations”.
In such a case how Civic bodies either diverted the Amount collected under this Account for other establishment expenditure including salaries or failed to use most of the amount, is a very serious cause of concern for one & the all.
Various newspapers have reported:
Escrow account
However, the data submitted shows that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi collected Rs. 1,128.72 crore from 2006-2007 till 2011-2012, but only about 8% or Rs. 101.39 crore was spent through the escrow account on developing the areas or creating parking. The majority of the fund or Rs. 1,027.33 crore was spent on “other establishment expenditure”, which includes salaries.
MCD split
After the MCD was split into three in 2012, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation collected Rs. 643.41 crore from 2012-2013 to 2016-2017. Only Rs. 28.19 crore was spent on escrow expenditure, while the remaining Rs. 615.22 crore was spent on other establishment expenses.
While the North Corporation diverted the majority of the funds, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) failed to use most of the parking and conversion charges it collected. From 2012-2013 till 2016-2017, the SDMC collected a total of Rs. 1,125.05 crore, but the expenditure from the escrow was Rs. 146.87 crore. Currently, Rs. 925 crore is available in the account, SDMC data shows.
The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) collected Rs. 166.02 crore in conversion charges and Rs. 49.95 crore in parking charges from 2012-2013 till 2017-2018 (till now). The EDMC data showed that the civic body spent Rs. 8.38 crore of the parking charges on developing parking, while Rs. 18.16 crore was spent on salaries and Rs. 23.40 crore remained unused. We are trying to find out the status of the rest of the Rs 166.03 crore.
with thanks: The Hindu: Damini Nath
with thanks: The Hindu: Damini Nath
In such circumstances, do you think that our Civic bodies have any right to collect the Conversion as well as the one-time parking charges?
It was said earlier that no development charges for parking shall be payable by small shop owners of the area up to 20 sqm. dealing with the items/activities as defined in para 15.6.3 of the MPD-2021 in respect of any category of colonies.
But now, development charges for parking are being demanded even from the small shop owners. Is there any such change in the Act?
It was also said earlier that Development charges for parking shall also not be payable by owner/ allottee/resident/user of the plot/dwelling units falling under notified pedestrian shopping streets both mixed-use or commercial pedestrian streets.
Please check the Links depicting Pedestrian Streets of Delhi that were Notified in the Delhi Gazette on 15th September 2006. You can easily find out if you are on a Pedestrian street & if you are being charged for all such development charges?
Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in West Zone
Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in South Zone
Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Shahdara South Zone
Identification of Streets for Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Karol Bagh Zone
Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Civil Line Zone
Identification of Pedestrian Streets Central Zone
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
MPD-2021
The issues mentioned in the Proposed modifications of DDA as well the Affidavit submitted with the SC say the same story. Even the Draft parking policy is there in it even before any discussion on various clauses. They just want your money by way of various Taxes, be it the GST, Road Tax, Toll Tax, House Tax, Conversion charges, One-time parking charges as well the proposed parking charges in the draft policy. And even after paying all such Taxes, there is no Job security, no social security and no benefits to the residents in the form of at least the health services even in this most polluted city. Do anything by paying under the table & get it regulated by paying over the table. Just this is the reason for all the mess in this city. The CRUX of the problem is, that none is serious enough to take care of OUR CITY.
Sunday, March 18, 2018
The unlivable city that is the Capital of India !
There is no doubt that Delhi has become unlivable due to excessive pollution, traffic jams & congestion. The RWAs just want that situation betters & not worsens. Traders too need some respite from sealing at this most crucial period, though they are responsible for all the encroachments in almost every market that causes jams leading to pollution.
@HardeepSPuri It's our city & all of us must act sensibly & come forward to give a life to this unlivable segment of land else the coming generations will never pardon us. B S Vohra, President, East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation— B S Vohra (@RWABhagidari) March 18, 2018
"It's our city & all of us must act sensibly & come forward to give a life to this unlivable segment of land else the coming generations will never pardon us".
B S Vohra,
Environment Activist, President,
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
DDA’S AFFIDAVIT ON MASTER PLAN AMENDMENTS WEAK, SAY RWAS: Hindustan Times
NEW DELHI: Terming the affidavits filed by the Delhi Development Authority as ‘weak for planned development in the city’, Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) have urged the monitoring committee to study them properly and raise their concerns in the Supreme Court.
In a joint statement released by a group of RWAs running the ‘save our city’ campaign, residents raised doubts over the scientific analysis and study being conducted by the authority over the impact of the amendments on quality of life and environment.
“In its justification, DDA said it has gone for the vertical growth in tandem with international practices. But vertical growth depends on various geographical factors such as the seismic zone of a city, its proximity to sea for free flow of air and availability of water,” said Rajiv Kakria, member of Greater Kailash I RWA.
“Besides, arrangements for sewer disposal, power supply and parking to cater to the increasing commercial growth also need due attention. I don’t think these factors have been considered at all,” he said.
On Monday, DDA had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court regarding the proposed amendments to the Delhi Master Plan -2021 in order to provide relief to traders from the sealing drive.
“The DDA in its affidavit said its Act does not mandate environment impact assessment for modifying the master plan. This kind of response is unacceptable from any land owing agency. It doesn’t instil the confidence that DDA is capable of doing its job,” said Anil Sood, president of Chetna, an NGO.
The RWAs said the DDA should modify its Act and only after that they should go for any change in the master plan.
“The authority (DDA) must remember that Delhi has become the most polluted city and everything to be done in this city must be regulated by the environmental norms,” said BS Vohra, president, a federation of East Delhi RWAs.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Environment Impact Assessment by DDA
If DDA act does not mandate environment impact assessment for notifying the master plan, it's the DDA act that must be modified at the first instance & only after that they should go for any change in the Master Plan of Delhi. DDA must remember that Delhi has become the most polluted city & everything to be done in this city must be regulated by the Environmental norms.
B S Vohra
Environment Activist, President,
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation
www.RWABhagidari.com
*pic used with thanks to Times of India
Point by Point Rebuttal of DDA Affidavit: Rajiv Kakria
Point by Point Rebuttal of DDA Affidavit
1. Shrinking space needs mixed land use so that commercial activity can happen near residences
- There are ample Land Parcels and Vacant Shops in DDA Commercial Centers. All planned colonies have LSC/CSC/CC for daily needs and recreation. PRESENTLY THERE IS NO INCENTIVE BUSINESSES OR PROFESSIONAL FIRMS TO MOVE TO COMMERCIAL AREAS. People prefer to open Commercial Establishments & Law Firms etc in Residential Areas as presently the cost of such Acquisition is 75% lower compared to LSC/CSC/CC. The Conversion Charges (Rs. 6,136/-per sqm) and Cost of Land are much lower, even Provision of Parking Space is the responsibility of the Authorities, then where is the incentive to operate from a Commercial area (Rs.22,000/-sqm). NOTIFIED COMMERCIAL ZONES ARE LANGUISHING AND DESERTED DUE TO THIS OVERSIGHT IN THE MASTER PLAN.
- Timings of Commercial Areas are in conflict with Residential Tranquility. Restriction of Closing Time as in the case of RULES OF ALLOTMENT OF CHAMBERS IN HC/SC from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM should be enforced on Professionals operating in Residential Areas.
2. Vertical growth of city in tandem with international practices
- International Practices are devised keeping Geographical Parameters like Seismic Zones, Air Displacement due to Proximity to Sea (remember SMOG), Monsoon Patterns, Proximity to a River for Availability of Water, Green Buffer Zones to curb Soil Erosion etc. In addition Solid Waste Management, Sewage Disposal, Power Supply, Parking, Road Network’s Carrying Capacity, Availability of Schools/Colleges/Hospitals etc. must be ensured. DETERMINATION OF DWELLING DENSITY/CARRYING CAPACITY FORMS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF MASTER PLAN PROVISIONS.
3. Modification of Master Plan with future perspective
- Master Plan is devised for Future Needs of its inhabitants to begin with, HEALTH and QUALITY OF LIFE is the prerequisite around which facilities are provided. Agreed one Shoe Fits All Approach is flawed, therefore ZONAL PLANS were to be made after Scientific Surveys, these Zonal Plans are still on the Drawing Boards after a Decade of MPD-2021 came into being.
4. Shelter and livelihood issues cannot be neglected
- Shelter in a Safe, Peaceful & Tranquil environment should be the basis for residential planning. Social Fabric is disturbed when inhabitants have contrasting requirements, be that Time of Operation, Usage of Common Spaces, Security Apparatus or Infrastructure Requirements. World over people go to the hustle bustle of Malls, Offices, Industries for Livelihood and return to their Peaceful Shelter.
5. DDA Act does not mandate environment impact assessment for modifying master plan
- ENVIRONMENT for DDA’s information comprises of AIR, WATER & SUNLIGHT. The making of the First Master Plan was ENTRUSTED TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING (now WELFARE). The Building Bye-Laws were devised keeping the abutting Road Width in mind, so that the Shadow of a Building in Front does not fall on the Building Opposite to it so that the inhabitants get ample SUNLIGHT for Healthy Living. The Height of a Building and number of Dwelling Units allowed were in keeping the AIR DISPLACEMENT PARAMETERS in mind to contain the Spread of Air Borne Communicable Diseases. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO NOTE SUPREME COURTS RESPONSE TO THIS POINT ………. DO WE NEED SUCH EMBARRASSMENT ???
6. Outdoor AC units won’t extrude and exhaust ducts won’t open directly towards public lane or face residential plot
- Nothing New, Building By-Laws do not permit any projections outside the PLOTLINE. But who is overseeing this Blatant Violation ???
7. Liquor shops and pubs won’t be allowed even in mixed-used areas. Such establishments would have to relocate within six months from notification date
- The existing Provisions of MPD-2021 do not allow Liquor shops and pubs in Mixed Land Use areas and LSC’s in within Residential Areas. Multiple clearances are needed from multiple agencies, why were these agencies ignorant of MPD Provisions while giving Licenses ???
8. Traffic control, parking and other infrastructure to be provided by service providing agencies
- Conversion Charges were collected, albeit unscientifically and were placed in ESCROW Accounts to be used for Infrastructure Development of specific areas. There is no disclosure of Amount collected nor has any Infrastructure been augmented since 2006. Only 8 Parking Lots have been made across Delhi which are lying disused.
9. Where parking isn’t available, area to be treated a pedestrian shopping streets
- Various Agencies entrusted to implement the Law have failed to prevent blatant violations even on Wide Master Plan Roads, how can they ensure Pedestrian discipline in interiors, while they have miserably failed to clear Foot Paths and On Street Parking despite Supreme Court Orders.
10. One-way traffic movement may also be planned within colonies
- One way Traffic movement, wherever implemented has only created one more Parking Lane for the Parking Lot Operator to Profit and has done little to ease traffic movement in the absence of Traffic Police.
Further, we welcome Supreme Court questioning the reduction of Conversion Charges. We have maintained that there should be MISUSER PAYS POLICY ….. NOT THE TAXPAYER. What Scientific Methodology has been used for calculation of Conversion Charges for the provision of additional Infrastructure necessitated due to extra FAR, so that the burden of the cost of such infrastructure does not fall on 1.50 Crore Citizens of Delhi by way of additional Taxes?
Development Norms in the Master Plan once finalized after careful analysis and study of the Impact on Quality of Life and Environment should be sacrosanct and not be tinkered with, at least for the duration for which it has been framed. Thereafter also Master Plan must ensure that areas that have been declared Residential must remain so, to provide a Secure, Peaceful and Healthy Habitat for citizens.
Rajiv Kakria
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
