Industries started after April 1996 could be closed: Delhi govt

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Wednesday submitted before the Supreme Court that around 18-20,000 industries which came up in residential and non-commercial areas of the capital after April 1996 could be ordered to close down even if they fell within the category of household industries.
The submission was made by Delhi Government counsel D N Goburdhan before a Bench comprising Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice H K Sema during hearing of a bunch of petitions arising from the May 2001 Court order directing shifting of all industries in the residential and non-conforming areas.
The counsel further stated that of the 22,000 industries which did not apply for insitu regularisation to the Government, which did not fall under the household and insitu regularisation scheme could also be closed.
The Court was informed that the government had identified 24 areas and requested the Union Urban Development Ministry to consider these being converted to industrial areas in the next Master Plan which is under preparation.
Solicitor General Kirit Raval said the Union government would soon respond to the request of the Delhi Government after considering the pros and cons of converting such residential areas into industrial areas.
The Bench, while adjourning the matter for further hearing tomorrow, directed the Delhi Government to file an affidavit detailing steps taken by the Government to relocate the industries from the residential areas.