Categorise colonies to help needy: Cong MLA

CHANDIGARH: Amid Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s demolition drive, a new demand has come up from Congress quarters for categorisation of illegal colonies as ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ so as to extend some relaxation to structures that were low-cost and where even the poor could afford to live.

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18

Amid Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s demolition drive, a new demand has come up from Congress quarters for categorisation of illegal colonies as ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ so as to extend some relaxation to structures that were low-cost and where even the poor could afford to live.

Leading the anti-demolition campaign are Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Congress’ Jalandhar-West MLA Sushil Rinku.

“Most of the people in my constituency belong to weaker sections and cannot afford high-cost houses... We are only asking for financial status-based ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ categorisation of colonies across the state. Even specifications like 15-ft road, compulsory markets and green areas inside colonies are impractical for the poor as these amenities jack up the prices,” said Rinku.

The MLA said they would soon meet Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and apprise him of the alleged irrational action ordered by the minister. Ashu said the drive should have been postponed till the state government came out with a concrete policy on the matter.

Sidhu, however, claimed there could be no distinction in taking action as it was simply a choice between right and wrong. “The housing categorisation has nothing to do with the demolition drive… We received authentic information about illegal constructions, which we initiated action. Can we allow such constructions to continue till people started living there? It is indeed unfortunate that an MLA from our own party is said to be backing illegal activity in his area. But corrective action will still be taken,” said Sidhu. Taking a swipe at the Congress “infighting”, former BJP state president Manoranjan Kalia said the situation showed lack of cohesion in the ruling regime. “If a minister in unable to get his action implemented, it raises serious questions about his ability to govern or the freedom allowed to him by his party,” said Kalia, adding it was not the first time that Sidhu was facing such resistance from within his own party. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, during his meeting with party president Rahul Gandhi, is learnt to have raised the issue concerning Sidhu and the demolition drive. Though party leaders said the CM along with Punjab affairs incharge had gone to wish Rahul on his birthday, state issues were also discussed.