Spare green, says Sec 19-C RWA

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 5

The Residents Welfare Association, Sector 19-C, on whose plea the anti-encroachment drive was stayed, today decided at a meeting that greenery should be left untouched while illegal structures should only be removed.

“Trees or greenery should not be removed by the Municipal Corporation employees as these are for the beautification purpose only. However, illegal structures raised by residents should be demolished. We appeal to residents to remove such structures on their own,” said SK Sharma, general secretary of the RWA.

“As an executive authority, the MC is bound to implement the directions of the court. Those, who want to develop greenery outside their houses, should take permission from the horticulture wing of the corporation. People cannot stop access to general public in the name of greenery,” said AK Dhadwal, president, RWA.

“Several councillors, who are themselves lawyers, didn’t approach the court in favour of the public,” rued a resident.

A Vacation Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed the demolition drive being carried out in Sector 19 by the civic body less than a month after the court frowned upon encroachments in front of houses.

There were protests by residents. However, the officials as per the court’s directive proceeded with their drive. MC officials said a similar survey of the entire city regarding encroachment has already been done by the Administration and they would proceed as per further directives by the court.