DPCC calls for cut in conversion charges, for one time levy

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) Describing as 'exhorbitant' conversion charges declared by the Urban Development Ministry for regularisation of residential constructions and commercialisation, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) today demanded that they be drastically cut.

At an Executive Committee meeting of the DPCC, where a large number of members, including Delhi MPs, MLAs, office-bearers and almost all district presidents were present, it was also demanded that conversion charges for commercial activities be levied only once.

The members said charges for regularisation of residential constructions and commercialisation were exhorbitant and beyond the reach of the common people.

Speaking at the meeting, DPCC chief Ram Babu Sharma said in E,F and G category plots measuring 50 metres, the regularisation charges would be minimum Rs 31,000 which will be in addition to other taxes, making it out of the reach of an ordinary citizen. Similarly, people who own plots measuring 100 metres in the A,B, C and D categories would have to pay more than Rs 4.50 lakh and Rs 1.75 lakh respectively, which would be totally unjustified, he added.

The meeting also deliberated on several issues like the 2021 Delhi Master Plan, regularisation of around 1500 unauthorised colonies, matters relating to resettlement colonies, JJ clusters and rehri-patri, khomcha-patri sellers, notification of mixed land use in rural areas and house tax.

Speaking at the meeting, Sajjan Kumar, MP, said those roads in the rural areas which had not been notified for mixed land use should promptly be notified for mixed land use.

Mr Ram Babu Sharma said it was essential to have detailed deliberations on the 2021 Master Plan so that no loose end was left untied to make it a water-tight plan which will not be challenged at any forum and will not have any shortcomings like in the 2001 Master Plan.

The Executive Committee strongly felt that around 1500 unauthorised should be regularised without further delay and without paying any development charges as was done in 1976-77 by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Mr Sharma said adding that such a step would benefit lakhs of ordinary people who will also hasten the all-round development of the Capital.

Stating that the shops selling essential commodities in DDA colonies should be allowed to continue for the sake of the people he said the Executive Committee has demanded that status quo should be maintained on all the commercial establishments existing as per the Master Plan of 1962 and no conversion charges should be levied on them.

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