New Delhi: In its first order since taking charge on the weekend, the Aam Aadmi Party government has banned demolitions in Delhi.
During his election campaigns, the Aam Aadmi Party has promised to build permanent houses for slum dwellers and not raze a single home.
"No one should be deprived of shelter until proper arrangements are in place," Mr Kejriwal had said.
The two-day-old government's order came a day after a group of people protested outside Mr Kejriwal's home against the demolition of slums in Shahdara in east Delhi.
The slums were reportedly razed around the time when Mr Kejriwal was being sworn in on Saturday at the Ram Lila Maidan.
The Delhi government has also questioned the role of Delhi police in the National Capital's security, in its letter to the Director General J K Sharma.
The Aam Aadmi Party government asked the Director General if police could guard the DTC buses too.
In an official press conference, the Aam Aadmi Party said, “It was decided to take a holistic view on the existing policy of carrying out demolitions of residential houses, jhuggis etc in Delhi by various agencies.
The government has issued directions to various agencies – New Delhi Municipal Council, North, East and South Delhi Municipal Corporations, Delhi Jal Board, environment and forests, revenue department, etc., not to carry out any demolition till this review is completed.
In case any demolition has already been planned or is in the pipeline, the agency concerned shall seek prior approval of the urban development minister.
This order shall not apply to action taken in pursuance of courts orders.
The government intends to complete this review at the earliest.
The cabinet also decided to recommend the first session of the newly elected Delhi assembly on February 23-24 for swearing in of new MLAs and election of the Speaker/Deputy Speaker.”
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked Delhi Police to extend full support to the Arvind Kejriwal government.
"I would like to remind you that a new government has been formed in Delhi. A new party has got the mandate and a new government is formed. I expect you to extend full cooperation to this newly-formed government so that it can pave the way for the city's development," Singh said at the 68th Raising Day parade of Delhi Police today.
The Delhi Police reports to the Centre and is the main reason that the new Aam Aadmi Party government has demanded full statehood for the capital. It wants control over law and order in the city; better security for women in Delhi is one of the key election promises of Mr Kejriwal's AAP.
On the issue of Swine flu, AAP government has asked the Health Department to take necessary steps to combat the disease.
