News reports of 10.09.04 about Delhi Government’s cabinet meeting on 11.09.04 have CM describing the purpose of the meeting as taking a “comprehensive view” of the industries matter (Pioneer, ToI, Hindu). What that might mean is variously reported. HT says the idea is to take a “view of the problems being faced by the industrialists”. Hindu says it is to “discuss the various issues arising out of closure”. All say it is to discuss regularization / DMP2021 ideas, which the court has comprehensively rejected. (Pioneer seems to have been told by CM that her government has to take a decision because "Several agencies like the Supreme Court” and various authorities “are involved”). The “solution” our cabinet is expected to arrive at is, as per CM’s quotes, “to amend the Master Plan for Delhi to declare all the areas with more than 70 per cent industrial units as industrial areas in the Capital, which is the only solution" (Pioneer) and “there are certain recommendations made in the Master Plan Draft (MPD) 2021 that we must consider" (ToI). (Express Newsline says the emergency meeting has been called “to discuss the contentious issue of declaring residential areas with more than 70 per cent industries ‘industrial zones’” and on 11.09.04 also that the meeting “will discuss the possibility of including more and more categories of industrial units in the ‘Household’ category (category A) so that they are not shifted”.)

The cabinet meeting on Saturday to reiterate regularization / DMP 2021, the CM’s refrain from the outset in the matter, has reportedly been called after a meeting between her and her ministers for industry and finance/urban development along with their officials (on Thursday evening), and the decision will be conveyed to Union urban development minister. (The Hindu says “the previous NDA Government had failed to act on this recommendation and now the matter has acquired serious dimensions”, though the present UPA government has been around almost ever since the judgment of 07.05.04). But the CM’s view appears not to be fully shared by those who attended the Thurday meeting. Industries Minister dwells on other issues, notably action against fact of half of the plots in Bawana having slipped into the hands of land mafia (HT, Pioneer) and failure of plot holders to construct on them (Hindu). Her officials are even more candid, saying “the October 8 deadline, set by the Supreme Court for the closure of all industries in the F category, will have to be followed and there is no likelihood of any solution emerging by that date” (HT). (The industries department has issued instructions to area SDMs to cut water and power connections and squads are enforcing the court order (ToI, Hindu, ENL). And the Industries Minister says “the process for closure of industries is going on smoothly” (Hindu)). Similarly, about the “scientific survey” idea that emanated from the meeting between CM and UDM on 31.08.04, while CM is quoted saying, “The Government needs some time to conduct a fresh survey on these industrial areas with more than 70 per cent industrial units" (Pioneer), her Finance Minister is quoted saying, “The whole picture is going to change even if we carry out the survey now. So we are going to apprise the Centre of the position, that a fresh survey is not possible in the pressing circumstances” (ENL). (Asian Age says, on 11.09.04, "It is reliably learnt that the government may take a decision to move an application before the Supreme Court for further extension of the deadline for the closure").

As per news reports of 11.09.04 (Hindu, HT, ToI, Asian Age), the CM’s regularization idea has support of MLAs supposed to be her detractors (who, and not industries, have been making the regularization demand while addressing the protesting industries).

Industries, however, have not quite made the regularization demand or objected to the court’s directions in favour of residential amenity (they themselves are also residents), and news reports since 07.09.02 suggest their protest (not confined to the 24 areas promised regularization) is against government. Their spokespersons have said, “All the big assurances of a large number of leaders have borne no fruit” (08.09.04, ENL), “Sheila Dixit doesn’t know what she is doing” (09.09.04, ENL), “manufacturers were also not happy with the facilities provided to them in the industrial areas they were being shifted to” (09.09.04, ENL). Nevertheless, The Hindu said on 10.09.04 that “various industrial associations and representatives have gone on an indefinite strike against the move of the Government agencies and are pressurizing the Delhi Government to file a review petition in the Supreme Court” and Pioneer’s report about the death on 10.09.04 is titled “Protest against SC order turns tragic” (even as it goes on to say “The deceased family members blamed the Congress government for his death”).

At least some industries have (through no less than a colloquium at Assocham on Lawful Compliance of the Supreme Court order for Industries) supported the court order and at least a few others have, since the judgment, been trying to find support for lawful solutions. Qualified professionals have also been engaging on compliance through the statutory solution. That government, media and the few un-elected and un-selected others should be stoutly denying the existence of existing statutory solution and support for it to make much of their endless search for solutions to project an illusion of anarchy (complete with irrelevant images of pollution and wretchedness) that is not quite reality as it is but reality as is being fabricated is both typical and tragic.

news reports

10.09.2004

  • Cabinet to discuss closure of units, The Hindu1
  • Cabinet to decide on closure of industries, Times of India2
  • CM calls for emergency Cabinet meet, Express Newsline3
  • “Industries will have to go”4
  • “Delhi Cabinet to meet on Saturday over shifting of industries”5

11.09.2004

  • Agitation takes a tragic turn, The Hindu6
  • Death casts shadow on industries shifting, Express Newsline7
  • Industry owner collapses, dies during protest, Times of India8
  • Relocating of polluting units kicks open storm, Times of India9
  • New twist to unit's relocation row, Times of India10
  • Delhi govt cornered on polluting units issue, Times of India11
  • Protest against SC order turns tragic12
  • Factory owner dies protesting13
  • Govt seeks another survey before shutting industries14
  • Delhi silence on industries puts MLAs in a ‘fix’15
  • Dikshit Cabinet to take up industry issue today16
  • 1. Cabinet to discuss closure of units
    NEW DELHI, SEPT. 9. Even as the Government agencies today launched a drive to shut down nearly 5,000 "F'' category industrial units across the Capital, the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, convened a meeting of her Cabinet this coming Saturday to discuss the various issues arising out of closure of such and other industrial units.

    http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/10/stories/2004091008920400.htm (Retrieved 30th June, 2013)
  • 2. Cabinet to decide on closure of industries
    NEW DELHI: Delhi government has woken up from its slumber to announce an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday, over the closure of industries in the wake of protests from industry owners.

    http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?msid=845706 (Retrieved 30th June, 2013)
  • 3. source: http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=98874
  • 4. “Industries will have to go”
    Hindustan Times: HT Correspondent

    New Delhi, September 10: As the Damocles' sword hangs over factories operating from the city's residential areas, the government has decided to convene a Cabinet meeting on Saturday to take a comprehensive view of the problems being faced by the industrialists. However, officials said there was no likelihood of any solution being found as the government was fighting against time. An official said the October 8 deadline, set by the Supreme Court for the closure of all industries in the F category, will have to be followed and there is no likelihood of any solution emerging by that date. CM Sheila Dikshit, who convened a meeting of the industry and finance ministers along with the officials on Thursday evening, admitted there was apprehension among the people. She said the Cabinet meeting on Saturday would take a comprehensive view of the issue and then meet the Union urban development minister to convey the decisions. Industry minister Mangat Ram Singhal said the government had promised that areas having 70 per cent industries would be declared industrial areas. But for that, the Centre will have to help the state government. He said half of the industrial plots in Bawana were under the control of the land mafia. He said government was planning to take action soon.
  • 5. “Delhi Cabinet to meet on Saturday over shifting of industries”
    Daily Pioneer: Rajesh Kumar/ New Delhi:

    The Delhi cabinet will meet on Saturday to take a stock of the shifting of industrial units in non-conforming areas following the Supreme Court's ruling. On the other hand, the Delhi Government's Industries Department has decided to take action against those allotted plots at Bawana for setting up their industries but have sold them to land mafia. At least 50 per cent Bawana plot holders have reportedly sold their land to the land mafia. Speaking to The Pioneer, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said a Cabinet meeting would be convened on Saturday to take comprehensive stock of the issue. "Several agencies like the Supreme Court, Urban Development Ministry, Delhi Government, Delhi Police, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Environment Department, are involved. The Government will have to take a decision in this regard. The State Government has asked the Urban Development Ministry to amend the Master Plan for Delhi to declare all the areas with more than 70 per cent industrial units as industrial areas in the Capital, which is the only solution of this crisis," said Ms Dikshit. Earlier, Ms Dikshit had convened a meeting on the shifting of industrial units from non-conforming areas. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Dr AK Walia, Industries Minister Mangat Ram Singhal, Chief Secretary S Reghunathan and senior officials of the Industries Department. Ms Dikshit had met Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad last month and discussed the matter of the shifting of industrial units following the SC's ruling. It is learnt that Mr Azad has objected to the Delhi Government list, saying it has not followed a scientific method. The UDM has asked that a fresh survey be conducted to identify areas with over 70 per cent industrial units. "During the Cabinet meeting on Saturday, we will decide the future course of action. We have asked the Centre to amend the Master Plan, 2021. The Government needs some time to conduct a fresh survey on these industrial areas with more than 70 per cent industrial units," added Ms Dikshit. A senior official of Urban Development Ministry said if the Centre agreed, a fresh survey would be conducted on these 24 industrial areas and after the survey report, it would be incorporated in the Master Plan and the crisis would be solved. The Industries Minister said action would be taken against those allotted plots at Bawana for setting up their industries but have sold them to the land mafia.
  • 6. Agitation takes a tragic turn
    NEW DELHI, SEPT. 10. Even as the Delhi Government and the Union Urban Development Ministry were busy trying to find a workable solution to the problem arising out of the closure of nearly 5,000 industrial units in the Capital, the agitation against the closure took a tragic turn when one of the members of the Delhi Manufacturers Federation died while taking part in one such programme at Vishwas Nagar in East Delhi.

    http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/11/stories/2004091115530300.htm (Retrieved 30th June, 2013)
  • 7. source: http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=99037
  • 8. Industry owner collapses, dies during protest
    NEW DELHI: An industry owner collapsed following a heart attack and later died while protesting against the closure of industries in Vishwas Nagar in east Delhi on Friday. The victim, Deepak Bhatia (42), ran a printing press in the area.

    http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/847316.cms (Retrieved 30th June, 2013)
  • 9. Relocating of polluting units kicks open storm
    NEW DELHI: A large crowd gathered on the main road in Vishwas Nagar to protest against the closure of industries by the government.
    Tension however was not restricted to Vishwas Nagar. Delhi government's deputy commissioners have been cutting power and water connections for industries since the past two days, with resistance marking every inch of the way.

    http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/847294.cms (Retrieved 30th June, 2013)
  • 10. New twist to unit's relocation row
    NEW DELHI: The death of a printing press owner on Friday has given the issue of closure of polluting units in Delhi a violent turn.

    Deepak Bhatia, was the sole breadwinner of a family, that included two unmarried sisters and two young daughters and one of the 5,000 industrial unit owners who have been ordered to shut down before October 7.

    http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/847293.cms (Retrieved 30th June, 2013)
  • 11. Delhi govt cornered on polluting units issue
    NEW DELHI: The issue of closure of industries has caught the Delhi government in a difficult corner. With a SC deadline dangling on its head, the government is looking at ways to avoid this unpopulist measure.

    http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?msid=847292 (Retrieved 30th June, 2013)
  • 12. Protest against SC order turns tragic
    Daily Pioneer: Staff Reporter/ New Delhi:

    A Delhi industrialist facing eviction under the Supreme Court order collapsed and died of a heart attack as soon as he finished a speech at the dharna site. The incident occurred at around 12.20 pm at Viswas Nagar main road on Friday. Industrialist Deepak Bhatia, a resident of 26/ 94-95, Viswas Nagar, who was facing eviction under the Supreme Court ruling, collapsed and died of a heart attack as he finished his speech at the dharna site. He is survived by his wife Sunita and two daughters Payal and Neha. His younger daughter Payal (12) was physically challenged and suffered from Cancer. Later, a large number of protesting factory owners and workers assembled at the dharna site and blocked traffic for two hours on Swami Vivekanand Marg. They also shouted slogans against the ruling Congress Government and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The deceased family members blamed the Congress government for his death. Speaking to The Pioneer, Bhatia's sister Deepika said that he had been undergoing tension for the last couple of days. "We have been running our factories - Deepak Metal Works and Bhatia Metal Works - at Viswas Nagar for the past 48 years. Now, all of a sudden, the Government has ordered us to close it following the Supreme Court ruling. My brother was in depression after the court order. The Delhi Government was responsible for his death," said Ms Deepika. The industrialists have been protesting for the last three days against the Supreme Court ruling and callous attitude of the Delhi Government towards industrial factory owners. The Supreme Court has ordered closure of all industrial units in non-conforming areas within a stipulated period. Delhi Manufacturers' Federation (DMF) General Secretary Vijay Virmani said that enraged factory owners and their labourers blocked traffic at Peera Garhi, Sadar Bazar, Haider Pur, New Rohtak Road and Mundka. Reacting to the incident, Delhi Industries Minister Mangat Ram Singhal said it was an unfortunate incident. "The Government has convened an urgent Cabinet meeting to take a comprehensive view on the issue. It will take every step to protect the industrialists' interests," he said.
  • 13. Factory owner dies protesting
    Hindustan Times: HT

    Correspondent New Delhi,September 11: With the deadline drawing near, stress is taking its toll on industrialists facing imminent closure orders. And tragedy struck on Friday, when Deepak Bhatia, 41, an industrialist from Vishwas Nagar, suffered a massive heart attack while making an impassioned speech against the court order. He died on way to hospital. Bhatia ran a printing press in an area in the F category. No sooner the news of Bhatia's death spread, than all hell broke loose. Factory workers, local industrialists and shopkeepers took to the street and blocked traffic. There was massive jam in the area and police had to resort to mild lathicharge to lift the blockade. Meanwhile, enforcement teams of SDMs snapped water and power lines of several industrial units in residential areas like Shalimar Garden, Sadar Bazar and Mundka. In Sadar Bazar, connections to eight industrial units were cut. However, government officials failed to provide exact figures of the number of units where connections were snapped. "We will hold a review meeting on Monday and statistics would then be available," said Industry Minister Mangat Ram Singhal. A delegation led by Outer Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar on Friday met chief minister Sheila Dikshit and Urban development minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and apprised them of the difficulties faced by workers and industrialists. Lakhs of workers would be rendered jobless, they told the CM. MLAs Mukesh Sharma, Mahabal Mishra, Surender Kumar, Bijender Singh and Anil Bhardwaj accompanied Kumar. The CM has convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue to thrash out a solution. | Bhatia was under tremendous stress over the imminent closure of his printing unit... The government has failed to resolve our problems / Local industrialists on Bhatia’s death.
  • 14. Govt seeks another survey before shutting industries
    Hindustan Times, Chetan Chauhan 

    New Delhi, September 11: Caught off-guard by industrialists' offensive, the Delhi Government now plans to ask the union government to seek three months from the Supreme Court to amend the Master Plan and conduct another survey of industries running in non conforming areas. The Delhi cabinet is likely to adopt a resolution on Saturday requesting the Urban Development Ministry to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking relaxation. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is likely to meet Urban Development Minister Gulam Nabi Azad sometime next week. Two days after the closure of industries started, the government realised that there is a way to give some relief to industrialists. It found the Supreme Court, in its order, in May this year had termed the earlier survey of industries in non-conforming areas as unscientific. Ministry officials told the Delhi government last week the survey will take at least three months in 24 residential colonies, where industries constitute 70 per cent of the homes. The Supreme Court had earlier rejected the ministry's plea to regularise industries in these 24 colonies. The Delhi government wants that the new survey should be the basis for amending the Master Plan. | NCR offers help: Delhi Government has not told the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) that how many industries can be shifted to Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh; NCRPB had said that 5,000 industries could be shifted in Rajasthan and 10,000 more in Haryana and UP; Delhi Government says the industrialists may not be keen to shift to NCR but the NCRPB has assured that infrastructure will be developed in NCR towns if industries shift.
  • 15. Delhi silence on industries puts MLAs in a ‘fix’
    Asian Age: By Pramod Kumar:

    New Delhi, Sept. 10: The Congress MPs and MLAs in the city are a confused lot. They don’t know what stand to take on the issue of industrial relocation, which has caused an outrage among the affected industry owners who have now taken to the street. And the silence of the Congress government in the state is not helping the cause. The result is that the MPs and MLAs are taking active part in the protest against the closure of industrial units along with the protesters. Outer Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar knocked at the doors of Union urban development minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday and requested him to sort out the issue as it might alienate a large section of industrial unit owners from the party. Several party MLAs, including Mr Mahabal Mishra (Nasirpur), Mr Anil Bhardwaj (Tri Nagar), Mr Surendra Kumar (Bawana), Mr Mukesh Sharma (Hastshal) and Dr Bijendra Singh (Nangloi) have already joined hands with the protesters. Most of the party leaders are of the opinion that the Delhi government must take an initiative in this regard. The Union urban development ministry has already made it clear that "the Delhi government may seek time from the Supreme Court in respect of the industrial clusters, which are being closed." On the condition of anonymity, a Congress MLA told The Asian Age: "When the Union urban development ministry has made it clear that the Delhi government may seek time from the Supreme Court for the extension of the deadline, then why is the latter maintaining silence? "It’s very difficult to understand the stand of the Delhi government. We are people’s representatives and we are answerable to our electorates," the MLA said. Meanwhile, Mr Singhal on Friday said: "We cannot do anything. It’s a court order and we have to follow it. Those polluting industries running in residential areas will be closed down at any cost."
  • 16. Dikshit Cabinet to take up industry issue today
    Asian Age: By Our Correspondent:

    New Delhi, Sept. 10: The issue of the closure of industrial units in the city has forced the Delhi government to call an emergency meeting of the Cabinet on Saturday. According to sources, the government may explore several possibilities to tackle the situation. It is reliably learnt that the government may take a decision to move an application before the Supreme Court for further extension of the deadline for the closure of polluting industrial units running in residential areas. The Union urban development ministry in a recent meeting had asked the Delhi government to undertake a detailed survey of the industrial clusters having more than 70 per cent concentration of industries, addressing the concerns expressed in the order of the Supreme Court and submit a specific proposal to the Government of India. The ministry has also made it clear that the survey should be done within a period of three months. Sources in the Delhi government said to conduct the survey, the Delhi government may now move an application before the Supreme Court for seeking further extension of the deadline for the closure of industrial units in the city.