Sealing: Centre to set up taskforce

New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the special taskforce (STF), which would be set up to oversee the enforcement of laws to deal with unauthorised constructions and encroachments in Delhi, would also look into the safety aspects of buildings which have been built legally.

The government told a bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta that the STF would examine the safety aspects, like fire fighting, in buildings like schools, hospitals, theatres and restaurants to see whether they complied with the norms.

Additional solicitor general A.N.S. Nadkarni (ASG), appearing for the Centre, told the bench that they have added one representative from the office of Delhi’s lieutenant-governor in the task force, which would be chaired by the vice-chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

“Even if there is a legal building, the task force will look into the safety aspects like fire and others,” he told the bench.

However, the apex court asked Mr Nadkarni as to what has been done with regard to the issue of depletion of ground water in Delhi. The ASG told the bench they were taking steps in this regard.

The bench, while listing the matter for further hearing on April 24, asked the member secretary of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to remain present before it on the next date to assist it.

The ASG told the bench that proper security arrangements would be put in place for the court-appointed monitoring committee so that they would carry out the sealing drive in Delhi as per the apex court’s mandate.

He said three officials of the police have been asked to coordinate with the committee.