In a relief to hundreds of small industrial unit owners and their employees, the Centre on Wednesday decided not to relocate industries from areas with more than 70 per cent of manufacturing activity in the national capital.
Union Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, after a meeting with Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, decided to accept the suggestion of a sub-group on industrial sector for the Master Plan of Delhi that clusters having more than 70 per cent of manufacturing activity could be developed as industrial areas.
It's govt versus industry in Delhi
The sub-group was one of the 12 constituted by the Delhi Development Authority for preparation of the Master Plan. Headed by Dilip Biswas, it comprised representatives of Central Pollution Board, Planning Department of DDA, Confederation of Indian Industry and Delhi factory owners.
Proper parametres and norms for this purpose would be finalised soon, official sources said, adding amendments would be made in the existing Master Plan for the purpose.
Redevelopment of clusters, according to this amendment, would be taken up after proper survey, identification and verification of boundaries as of today.
It was also decided to include 18 more activities in the list of permissible household industries, the sources said.
The Delhi government would inform the Supreme Court about this "in principle" decision of the Centre and make suitable pleas seeking extension of the time-frame.
Other issues pertaining to the operation of industries in non-conforming areas would be discussed in a subsequent meeting to be held shortly, the sources said.
Prime Minster Manmohan Singh had asked Azad on Monday to find an early solution to the issue of relocation of industrial units in the national capital keeping in view the directions of the Supreme Court.
The Apex Court has laid down a strict time schedule for closure of industrial units in the non-conforming areas.
Industrial bodies have been protesting alleged "inaction" of the government to protect them. Congress MP Ajay Maken had written to the prime minister and Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the issue last week.
