September 28, 2006

Dr. Manmohan Singh
The Prime Minister

Respected Sir,

I must express my anguish at the way in which sealing and demolition issue is handled in Delhi, which is the Capital of the country. Four innocent lives were lost in the firing on the day of "Delhi Bandh" on 20th September, 2006. Though the issue is in the Supreme Court and it is monitoring the implementation of its various orders, I feel that holistic approach right from the beginning would have helped to arrive at a solution much earlier. I am writing this letter with the request that please intervene personally to resolve the crisis to relieve the millions of traders and their dependents from unnecessary harassment and trauma.

The problem, which has assumed the chaotic proportion is the result of total failure of urban planning. This is the story of many of the cities, which can be best described as "Urban Decay". Delhi's story is more pathetic as all this deterioration was taking place under the very nose of the seat of central power. Multiplicity of authority also added to the chaos. I can't resist but to state that if the government would have moved with right approach from the beginning, the solution would have arrived much earlier.

I am confident of a reasonable solution even now of the problem to the satisfaction of all concerned, though the matter is in the advanced stage in the highest court. The authorities must take a holistic view so as to ensure a comprehensive and permanent solution. The dotted lines for this are very clear and I narrate them for your ready reference.

A mechanism will have to be evolved for regularising the business establishments as on 31st December, 2005 via general amnesty. The decision regarding regularisation of 1400 + colonies simultaneously will help to arrive at a comprehensive package which is the need of hour. You can also ensure immediate notification of roads identified in additional survey of MCD and do away with unnatural and unsustainable catagorisation. The UD department has come out with a negative list of trade in the city limits prohibiting necessities like timber and coal which is absurd.

To have the proper solution in place in real time is the essence of urban management. If government takes necessary steps including legislation after proper consultation, my party would like to co-operate whole-heartedly, so that the sufferings of millions of citizens will come to an end.

Thanking you,
(RAJNATH SINGH)