The Delhi High Court, while taking a strict stance at the failure of NDMC and municipal authority, reprimanded the illegal hawking, squatting and vending activities in Connaught Place’s No hawking area on the ground that the same violated citizens’ right to clean and healthy environment.
In the instant petition, the petitioner sought for directions to the respondent, New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), in furtherance of permanently stopping the illegal hawking.
The bench expressed its displeasure over the uninterrupted practice of hawking in no vending areas and issued a “stern warning” to the officers of municipal corporation and Delhi Police to ensure strict compliance of the Supreme Court schemes and High Court orders.
The bench further stated that when it comes to writing letters and maintaining their record, the NDMC authorities appear to be very efficient, however, in case of actually abiding by their obligations with respect to ground work, they’ve failed miserably.
For the purpose of issuing directions, the bench relied on the photographs presented by the counsel on behalf of petitioner and the referred High Court precedents. The counsel showed photographs wherein scores of hawkers and vendors were found occupying the public spaces on pavements.
The bench observed that the photographs showed lack of concern of Delhi Police officers towards the unauthorized encroachments and their incompetence in ensuring the compliance of their own schemes.
Moreover, the bench highlighted that the salaries of employees are paid from time to time but they’ve failed miserably in discharging their duties. The bench added that the situation where garbage is collected and not removed, results in diseases like dengue, which the city of Delhi is currently facing.
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