Ensure allotment of area to effigy makers sans hindrance: HC
What's the story
Delhi High Court has directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to ensure that the area allotted to artisans, who make Ravana effigies for Dussehra, is exclusively available to them "without any hindrance".
A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice VK Rao also directed SDMC to provide water, electricity, and security measures by September 19 at the site allotted to artisans.
Land
Two plots of land have been identified for artisans: SDMC
The HC also directed the corporation to put up notices in public areas indicating where the effigies are available for sale.
The SDMC had earlier told the court that two plots of land have been identified in West Delhi for artisans making Ravana effigies.
It had earlier asked the civic body to charge the artisans only Rs. 1.50/sqft per month for this year.
Petition
HC was hearing a PIL initiated by its own
The court was hearing a PIL initiated on its own after it came across a news report saying that several Ravana effigies, built by artisans who came in Delhi from Rajasthan for Dussehra, were destroyed by the SDMC for allegedly encroaching on public land.
Last September, it had asked Delhi government and the corporation to formulate a policy for allocating land to artisans.
Draft policy
What does the draft policy framed by Delhi govt say?
Thereafter, a draft policy was framed by the Delhi government.
It stated that the artisans would have to register with the corporations two months before the start of the work and once a site was allotted, it would be valid for only two months.
On expiry of the period of allotment, the artisans would have to vacate the site.