Prem Singh seeks exemption of villages from building bye-laws

New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Delhi Assembly Speaker Prem Singh has asked the union Urban Development Ministry to exempt rural and urban villages of the capital from building bye-laws so that they could develop their habitat, keeping in view the totality of the local economy.

In case these provisions were not inserted in the city's Master Plan 2021, it would defeat the purpose the upliftment and improvement of villages and their economy, he said in a letter written to Minister for state for Urban Development Ajay Maken.

''If these were not done the problem of unemployment would increase many fold and its people left helpless, without any means of livelihood,'' he added.

In order to give a boost to village economy it was necessary that the small village business ventures and cottage industries should be provided amenities like roads, electricity, drinking water, sewerage system, primary health centres, good schools and transport, he said.

Rural and urban villages should be exempted from property tax, Mr Singh further demanded.

He also suggested that road side shops in villages should also be regularised across the board through a special provision while finalising the master plan of Delhi.

Mr Singh had also sent his suggestions for incorporation in the master plan to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and state Urban Development Minister A K Walia.

UNI