Delhi LG urges swift action on unauthorised colonies regularisation

27 Dec 2023 CW Team

In the wake of the recent passage of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) 2023 by Parliament, Saxena presided over a meeting with key officials, including the chief secretary, representatives from urban development and public works departments, the vice-chairman of DDA, and the commissioner of MCD, along with other senior officials from various stakeholder departments and agencies.

During the meeting, Saxena reviewed the progress and status of efforts related to the regularisation of unauthorised colonies and the rehabilitation of slum dwellers under the PM-UDAY and PMAY (Urban) initiatives, respectively. Saxena urged officers to provide specific timelines for the full implementation of PM-UDAY, PMAY, and the Land Pooling Policy of the DDA.

Officials informed Saxena that ambiguity in the boundaries of unauthorised colonies, repeated extension of cutoff dates, and uncertainty in notified slum clusters had prolonged the issue. This led the government to formulate the PM-UDAY and PMAY schemes in 2019, but full-scale implementation was hindered by the onset of the COVID pandemic.

Expressing surprise and concern, Saxena noted that despite the Act being in operation since December 2006, the matter remained unresolved. He directed officials to devise a concrete time-bound plan for the registration, verification, and subsequent regularisation of unauthorised colonies, emphasising the need for a simplified and hassle-free process.

Saxena warned against any dereliction or corruption, stressing a zero-tolerance policy. He instructed the DDA to promptly identify alternate sites within a five-kilometre radius for slum dwellers where in situ rehabilitation was not possible, ensuring a dignified life in already constructed flats/houses under various schemes.

Officials reported that Saxena mandated the entire plan to be implemented within a month, with concrete actions starting immediately. He emphasised completing all tasks at least a year earlier than the outer limit of 2026 specified in the recently passed Parliament Act.

Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, has instructed officials to develop a time-bound plan for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies. He emphasised the need to simplify and streamline the process, as reported by officials from the Raj Niwas. In the wake of the recent passage of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) 2023 by Parliament, Saxena presided over a meeting with key officials, including the chief secretary, representatives from urban development and public works departments, the vice-chairman of DDA, and the commissioner of MCD, along with other senior officials from various stakeholder departments and agencies. During the meeting, Saxena reviewed the progress and status of efforts related to the regularisation of unauthorised colonies and the rehabilitation of slum dwellers under the PM-UDAY and PMAY (Urban) initiatives, respectively. Saxena urged officers to provide specific timelines for the full implementation of PM-UDAY, PMAY, and the Land Pooling Policy of the DDA. Officials informed Saxena that ambiguity in the boundaries of unauthorised colonies, repeated extension of cutoff dates, and uncertainty in notified slum clusters had prolonged the issue. This led the government to formulate the PM-UDAY and PMAY schemes in 2019, but full-scale implementation was hindered by the onset of the COVID pandemic. Expressing surprise and concern, Saxena noted that despite the Act being in operation since December 2006, the matter remained unresolved. He directed officials to devise a concrete time-bound plan for the registration, verification, and subsequent regularisation of unauthorised colonies, emphasising the need for a simplified and hassle-free process. Saxena warned against any dereliction or corruption, stressing a zero-tolerance policy. He instructed the DDA to promptly identify alternate sites within a five-kilometre radius for slum dwellers where in situ rehabilitation was not possible, ensuring a dignified life in already constructed flats/houses under various schemes. Officials reported that Saxena mandated the entire plan to be implemented within a month, with concrete actions starting immediately. He emphasised completing all tasks at least a year earlier than the outer limit of 2026 specified in the recently passed Parliament Act.