Gurgaon: A mahapanchayat of DLF-3 residents on Wednesday demanded a “practical” housing policy for the workforce living in the locality.The mahapanchayat — attended by hundreds of residents at Amar Shaheed Raja Rao Tularam Park — was organised to protest sealing and demolition action in the area.The residents urged the govt to give property owners an opportunity to rectify violations by paying prescribed charges where feasible.Residents said Cyber City employs lakhs of people and that a large workforce depends on accommodation in and around DLF-3. They questioned where the workforce would live if existing houses were sealed or demolished.They demanded govt frame a legal and workable policy for workforce housing, including guest accommodation and rental housing and provide a mechanism to regularise existing properties wherever possible.“If policies can be framed keeping the interests of large developers and land use in mind, a practical policy can also be framed for thousands of families who have been living here for years,” residents said.Sube Singh Bohra, a social activist, said the residents’ campaign would continue until a policy addressing their concerns was framed. He said the Aug 26 gathering outside the deputy commissioner’s office would be the next step and that the issue would be taken up with govt.RK Yadav, a resident, said existing guest accommodation and other housing facilities should not be removed without first providing alternatives.“House demolition is easy, but building one is extremely difficult,” said Narendra Sahni, another resident. He said govt should take a sensitive approach and seek a long-term solution instead of relying only on enforcement.Residents stressed that they were not against the law and were willing to comply with regulations. Karan Yadav said sealing and demolition could not be the permanent solution to Gurgaon’s housing requirements.Some residents said they had already removed portions of their properties that violated prescribed norms.Ishwar Yadav said several others were voluntarily removing non-compliant construction and sought a permanent policy-based solution.Captain J K Sama said the city’s rapidly growing workforce made it necessary for govt to balance regulatory requirements with housing needs through consultation with all stakeholders.
