Ahead of Delhi Assembly polls, Government regularises 1939 illegal colonies

New Delhi, Dec 30: With the Assembly election nearing, the Union Cabinet on Monday amended the existing guidelines for regularization of unauthorized colonies in Delhi.

The Cabinet extended the cut-off date to be eligible for regularization from March 2002 to June 2014, thus extending the benefit to over 1,000 more colonies. As per the existing guidelines, only 895 colonies were found to be eligible. This move will give legal status to at least 1,939 colonies in the national capital where an estimated 60 lakh people live.

"The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday approved amendment to the existing guidelines that enables regularization of all unauthorized colonies that have come up till June 1, 2014 namely extension of cut-off date for regularization from March 31, 2002 to June 1, 2014," an official statement said.

"This will provide the benefits accruing from regularization to a large number of people in unauthorised colonies that have come in existence between 31.03.2014 and 01.06.2014," it added.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while briefing on Cabinet meeting, said "The Ordinance is for regularisation of unauthorised colonies in Delhi."

The detailed implementation and guidelines will be issued by the concerned authorities. With their regularisation, infrastructure and other facilities will continue to be provided, Jaitley said.
The Cabinet's approval came to a proposal which was firmed up after several rounds of discussions the Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had with Delhi Lt Governor, the Chief Secretary, Members of Parliament from Delhi and other stakeholders on the issue of regularization of unauthorized colonies.

The Delhi Government had sent a proposal in the matter referring to the unsatisfactory experience in regularizing unauthorized colonies and sought extension of cut-off date for regularisation.

The Delhi Government also opined that regularisation of unauthorized colonies will bring planned constructions in these colonies under existing building bye-laws and other applicable rules, which in turn, will result in more orderly development of these colonies.

In recognition of the problems of unauthorized colonies, the then Delhi Administration issued a Press Note on July 19, 1961, which was the basis for regularization of the first set of 103 unauthorised colonies between 1960 and 1962.

Centre issued an order regarding regularization in February, 1977 and subsequently, in 2001, the Ministry of Urban Development formulated guidelines for regularization of unauthorized colonies existing on March 31, 1993.

The 2001 guidelines were revised with the approval of the Union Cabinet in 2004 and the cut-off date was extended to March 31, 2002.

The 2004 guidelines were revised in 2007 with the approval of the Union Cabinet and notified by the DDA on March 24, 2008.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)