NOIDA: If the UP government considers restructuring Noida Authority into a metropolitan council, as directed by the Supreme Court, it must amend the UP Industrial Area Development Act of 1976, which established the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida).
Such an amendment would be intricate and time-consuming, necessitating extensive consultations and relying heavily on the political commitment of the state, according to former officials.
The Supreme Court instructed the UP government on Wednesday to evaluate the transition from the industrial development authority to a metropolitan council aimed at promoting people-centric governance. This recommendation stemmed from a report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) commissioned by the Supreme Court, which criticized the Authority’s operations, pointing to centralized decision-making, biased land allotment practices favoring builders, and a lack of transparency.
The SIT, led by IPS officer SB Shiradkar, uncovered 20 instances involving Noida officers and excess compensation to landowners and advocated for an investigation into the assets of officials and their families. It also highlighted the absence of processes for public consultation and environmental impact assessments, along with delays and insufficient grievance resolution.
A bench comprised of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi accepted the SIT’s recommendations, instructing the UP chief secretary to present the proposal for transitioning Noida into a metropolitan council to the council of ministers. Pending this decision, the court ordered the appointment of a chief vigilance officer for Noida—either an IPS or CAG officer on deputation—to oversee financial audits.
The bench also mandated the creation of a Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) within four weeks and prohibited the initiation of any projects in Noida without environmental clearance from the SC’s green bench.
According to the 1970 Act, the UP government is empowered to appoint five members to the Noida Authority’s board, ensuring direct representation for citizens. However, this provision has been largely ignored by industrial development authorities in the state over the years.
Deodatta Sharma, who served as chairman and CEO of Noida Authority from 2004 to 2005, explained that the Authority was established to relocate industries from Delhi to decongest the capital. “Over years, Noida has transformed into a residential and commercial hub. Currently, all land under its authority is on lease, with lease payments collected annually or for the entire duration to maintain city infrastructure,” Sharma noted. He added, “With the SC’s concerns over transparency and public involvement, the state could conduct a study to adopt best practices globally.”
Brijesh Kumar, a former CEO of Noida Authority, indicated that while the state could create a citizen advisory board through an administrative order, establishing a metropolitan council would need amendments to the Industrial Area Act. He recalled that in the early 2000s, Greater Noida had tried initiating a neighborhood council for CEOs to interact with residents, but this practice was short-lived. “It’s up to the state to determine how much administrative or financial power such a council would have,” he said.
Kumar, who also held positions as chairman and CEO of Greater Noida from 1998 to 2002, commented that while the industrial authorities maintain autonomy, a metropolitan council could enhance public participation.
From 1966 to 1990, the Delhi metropolitan council served as the deliberative body of the Delhi administration, featuring roles such as the leader of the house and presiding officers, yet it lacked full legislative authority.
Alok Singh from the Active Citizen Forum highlighted residents’ ongoing demand for representation on the Authority’s board. “Citizens are rarely consulted regarding city needs; instead, projects are often imposed, many of which turn out to be ineffective. Residents understand the city’s requirements better,” he remarked. Since 2022, the forum has repeatedly urged the Greater Noida Authority to establish an authority-citizen committee and urged similar models for all industrial authorities in the state.
