Union minister Vijay Goel on Thursday claimed that the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has not violated any norm to allow exemption for conversion and parking charges to heritage buildings in
Union minister Vijay Goel on Thursday claimed that the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has not violated any norm to allow exemption for conversion and parking charges to heritage buildings in its jurisdiction. Mr Goel’s reaction came a day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the BJP ruled NDMC provided undue benefit to a heritage property owned by the union minister.
Mr Goel said that to divert public attention AAP leaders, who are themselves involved in multiple scandals are making baseless allegations. “The AAP leaders are making such allegations out of their guilt complex. Instead of promoting heritage conservation, they are criticising and creating obstacles to such a noble effort.”
Mr Goel claimed that under NDMC’s jurisdiction there are approximately 300 heritage buildings which have been notified as being ‘protected’. Out of these, nearly 250 buildings are temples, mosques, gurudwaras, other religious structures and government buildings on which the levy of conversion charges is not applicable. Rest of the 50 buildings are private residences and havelis.
“Out of these 50, more than 50 per cent are dilapidated and shabby. Therefore the allegation of loss of '25 crore is absolutely baseless. The conversion charges on these 25 havelis can be waived off only when these havelis will undergo conservation and restoration,” he said.
“If the AAP government does not want to give exemption for the restoration, conservation and promotion of heritage buildings, then, in future, they may allege the efforts on the conservation and protection of Red Fort and Qutub Minar as wasteful. If the government notifies private buildings as ‘Heritage’ then exemption from levy of various taxes is needed, otherwise these valuable buildings will turn into deplorable illegal structures,” he added.
