Sheila Govt has changed face of Delhi in last ten years: Sonia

New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) Giving a pat on the back of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today said that under her the State Government had changed the face of the city in the last ten years.

''In the last ten years, the Delhi Government has changed the face of the city by bringing in an all round development in various fields-from transport to health, infrastructure development, power, education to women welfare,''Ms Gandhi said after handing over provisional regularisation certificates to representatives of 11 unauthorised colonies in Delhi at a function to grant these certificates to 1305 unauthorised colonies.

Speaking at a huge rally organised by the Delhi Government at Chhattrasal Stadium in North Delhi, where Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken, the president of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee Jai Prakash Agarwal, Congress MP Jagdish Tytler and Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta and the Ministers in the Delhi Cabinet were present, Ms Gandhi said,''in the ten years of its tenure, the Delhi Government has proved to be responsible government in all respects.

''I feel that the yardstick of a responsible Government is one which fully implements the promises made to people during the time of election. I can confidently say that the Delhi Government has proved itself excellently in this respect.'' Describing the granting of provisional regularisation certificates to the representatives of unauthorised colonies as a "historical step", Ms Gandhi said,''this historical step was set off by the UPA Government through a notification in June this year. Today, after handing over these certificates to the representatives of these colonies, I see a feeling of peace and contentment in the eyes of these people. Infact, for these people, the regularisation certificate is bigger than even the Nuclear deal.'' In this context, she noted that the Delhi Government has been provided Rs 2800 crore in the eleventh five year plan for carrying out developmental works in the unauthorised colonies.

At today's function, provisional certificates were issued to 1305 unauthorised colonies. For issue of final regularisation certificates, a period of 12 months has been fixed by the June 16, 2008 Notification by the Urban Development Ministry. During this period, the MCD is required to scrutinise the layout plans of the unauthorised colonies which will be approved by the competent authority. Change of land use will be processed and land cost, penalty and the development charges will be recovered as may be applicable.

Talking about the UPA Government's achievements over the nearly five years, Ms Gandhi said under the Prime Ministership of Dr Manmohan Singh, the Government had taken several steps for the welfare of people from several sections of society.

''Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has kept in mind the welfare of the common man in the framing of the Government policies,''Ms Gandhi said.

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