Delhi's rural residents protest at Jantar Mantar over unresolved issues
Real Estate

Delhi's rural residents protest at Jantar Mantar over unresolved issues

Residents from rural areas of Delhi organised a demonstration at Jantar Mantar to express their frustration over unresolved issues related to infrastructure and land. The mahapanchayat included participants from all 360 villages in Delhi and several neighboring Haryana villages. They presented ten demands, such as tax exemptions, amendments to the land pooling policy, and the transformation of Delhi's villages into smart villages.

Chaudhary Surender Solanki, the head of Palam 360 Khap and leader of the protest, stated that rural communities have made significant contributions to Delhi's development but are currently being neglected. He mentioned that Delhi's villages have become neither fully urban nor rural but resemble slum areas. He criticised the continuous indifference of successive governments towards the long-standing issues of the rural population, saying that it was no longer acceptable.

The protesters cautioned that they might boycott the state polls if their demands are not met before the Delhi assembly elections. Solanki pointed out that they had been raising these issues with the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Delhi for over a year. However, apart from addressing a few minor concerns, most of the problems remain unresolved. He emphasised that this time they were prepared for a decisive fight and demanded a permanent solution to all their issues, with respect.

Among the mahapanchayat's demands were the resumption of land mutation processes in Delhi's villages, granting land ownership rights to poor farmers, and providing alternative plots for those whose lands were acquired by the government. Other demands included implementing the ownership scheme under the Swamitva Yojana without stamp duty, notifying the 2041 Master Plan, amending the land pooling policy, and developing the villages into smart villages.

The protesters also called for the repeal of sections 33 and 81 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act of 1954, which restrict construction on their land. Solanki argued that there are several flaws in this Act, including the possibility of transferring a farmer's land to the gram sabha if they build a single room on their field. He also highlighted the deteriorating conditions in Delhi's rural areas, such as poorly maintained roads and the lack of basic infrastructure. Many villages lack proper sewage systems, and the roads are filled with potholes, making life unbearable for the residents. Despite their significant contribution to the development of Delhi, their villages are treated worse than slums. He set a 15-day deadline for the Delhi government to address their demands.

Residents from rural areas of Delhi organised a demonstration at Jantar Mantar to express their frustration over unresolved issues related to infrastructure and land. The mahapanchayat included participants from all 360 villages in Delhi and several neighboring Haryana villages. They presented ten demands, such as tax exemptions, amendments to the land pooling policy, and the transformation of Delhi's villages into smart villages. Chaudhary Surender Solanki, the head of Palam 360 Khap and leader of the protest, stated that rural communities have made significant contributions to Delhi's development but are currently being neglected. He mentioned that Delhi's villages have become neither fully urban nor rural but resemble slum areas. He criticised the continuous indifference of successive governments towards the long-standing issues of the rural population, saying that it was no longer acceptable. The protesters cautioned that they might boycott the state polls if their demands are not met before the Delhi assembly elections. Solanki pointed out that they had been raising these issues with the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Delhi for over a year. However, apart from addressing a few minor concerns, most of the problems remain unresolved. He emphasised that this time they were prepared for a decisive fight and demanded a permanent solution to all their issues, with respect. Among the mahapanchayat's demands were the resumption of land mutation processes in Delhi's villages, granting land ownership rights to poor farmers, and providing alternative plots for those whose lands were acquired by the government. Other demands included implementing the ownership scheme under the Swamitva Yojana without stamp duty, notifying the 2041 Master Plan, amending the land pooling policy, and developing the villages into smart villages. The protesters also called for the repeal of sections 33 and 81 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act of 1954, which restrict construction on their land. Solanki argued that there are several flaws in this Act, including the possibility of transferring a farmer's land to the gram sabha if they build a single room on their field. He also highlighted the deteriorating conditions in Delhi's rural areas, such as poorly maintained roads and the lack of basic infrastructure. Many villages lack proper sewage systems, and the roads are filled with potholes, making life unbearable for the residents. Despite their significant contribution to the development of Delhi, their villages are treated worse than slums. He set a 15-day deadline for the Delhi government to address their demands.

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