The Standing Committee of North Delhi Municipal Corporation today asked DDA and the Centre to allow regularisation of godowns falling in 'lal dora', extended 'lal dora' areas, agricultural land and unauthorised colonies on an "as is, where is" basis.
Standing Committee Chairman Mohan Prasad Bhardwaj said that till their regularisation, these godowns must be given relief from obtaining licences.
"They should be given ad-hoc licences... And, after the regularisation on an ad-hoc basis, the property tax and other leviable taxes as per municipal laws must be collected," he said after the committee today passed a resolution seeking regularisation of such godowns.
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Bhardwaj said Delhi is a business hub of north India and to store agricultural products in godowns was an old practice.
Godowns and stores located in rural areas, lal dora, extended lal dora and unauthorised colonies which fall in non- conforming areas fulfil an important need in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, he said.
The Centre along with Delhi Development Authority is drawing up a redevelopment plan for such areas where godowns exist, claimed Bhardwaj.
He said that such godowns and stores, which fall under the provisions of the Special Area Act, must be regularised as the livelihoods of lakhs of families depend on these.
Lal dora refers to land which is that part of the village habitation which is used for non-agricultural purposes only. Lal dora was exempted from the building by-laws and construction norms and related regulations under the Delhi Municipal Act.
Bhardwaj also claimed that lakhs of tonnes of foodgrains like wheat, pulses and rice are destroyed every year due to non-availability of proper storage space.
