Demolition of Dhanas marble market deferred

Ramkrishna Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 19

The Estate Office has once again postponed the demolition of the marble market in Dhanas, Dadu Majra and Sarganpur. The drive was to be held on July 20.

Sources said it was a last-minute decision. The drive has been cancelled for the fifth time in the past three years. Ajit Balaji Joshi, Deputy Commissioner, had ordered the demolition of the market running for more than 20 years. Rajiv Gupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner, was deputed to supervise the drive while Land Acquisition Officer and the SDM (Central) were asked to assist him.

More than 800 police personnel were asked to maintain the law and order situation. Duties of Tehsildar Executive Magistrate and employees of the Municipal Corporation were also fixed.

Sources said the drive had been postponed a number of times due to political interference. An official of the Administration said violating the Periphery Control Act, traders had raised structures and sheds in the market. Criminal cases can be registered against violators.

The sources said over 200 marble dealers were running their business from the area, termed as the second biggest marble market in the region after Delhi. The market location violates the Periphery Control Act which stipulates that no business can be run on farm land. The dealers had already been issued notices by the Estate Office, they said.