MCD sealing drive leaves consultants, professionals in a fix

Management consultants, stock brokers and software professionals operating out of rented premises in Delhi's residential areas are in a fix. CNBC-TV18 reports that they have not been exempted from the sealing drive ordered by the Supreme Court, that resumes on November 1.

R Jayaraman, president of the Delhi chapter of IIM Ahmedabad Alumni Association is busier than usual these days. It is not increased business that is keeping him on the toes, but the fear induced by the Municipal Corporation's sealing drive that has worked management consultants in Delhi into a lather.

"There is a fear among management professionals that MCD will disturb them and that they will get into trouble. They are not comfortable on how the implementation is going to take place," said Jayaraman.

According to the 1962 master plan, only doctors, chartered accountants, lawyers and architects have been defined as professionals. The September 7 notification of the urban development ministry allows only these professionals to work from houses and apartments, provided they are self-owned and within the permissible norms.

"Professional activities based on professional skills namely, lawyers, doctors, CAs, and architects, also have restrictions and are permitted only up to 50 per cent of permissible floor area ratio," said Deep Mathur, spokesperson, MCD.

Delhi has about 100 professional categories operating either from their own house or through a rented unit. Most of these are professionals like stockbrokers, system analysts, interior designers, financial advisers or management consultants.

They say they do not pollute or disturb the peace of the neighbourhood. The say the concept of small office home office is gaining ground and the Supreme Court and the master plan should acknowledge such activity.