Around 40 lakh people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi will be given ownership rights, the government said on October 23, 2019.
The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the regulations for conferring, recognising ownership or mortgage and transfer rights to residents of Unauthorised Colonies (UCs) in Delhi. Nearly 1,800 colonies have been marked for the big move.
"Ownership rights will be conferred to people who are living there, whether they are on private or government land," said Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri.
To implement the proposal the cabinet further approved bringing a Bill in the winter session of the Parliament beginning November 18, 2019.
The proposal is likely to have an impact on the Delhi Assembly elections slated for next year. Although, the three Union ministers who addressed the media denied that the move had anything to do with politics or elections.
"This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thinking, that we can do this. This is not politics...the people will get parks, electricity and a sewer system," said Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Impact and Benefits of the Proposal
- The decision will benefit more than 40,00,000 residents of unauthorised colonies spread over around 175 sq km, as development/redevelopment can now take place in these colonies resulting in a clean, secure and healthy living environment.
- This landmark initiative will address major issues being faced by the residents of UCs like lack of ownership/transfer rights, provision of basic infrastructure and civic amenities.
- With the recognition of property documents, the property holders in these colonies can now enter into valid property transactions. Besides providing a legitimate claim to the property; the decision will encourage property holders to invest in safe structures thereby improving the living conditions in these colonies substantially.
- The decision applies to 1,797 identified UCs, which are inhabited by the lower-income group society. The decision does not apply to 69 affluent colonies identified by Delhi Development Authority (DDA), including Sainik Farms, Mahendru Enclave and Anant Ram Dairy.
- The rights will be conferred on payment of nominal charge based on carpet area/plot size. For colonies on government land, the charge will be 0.5 per cent (for less than 100 sq m), 1 per cent (for 100 - 250 sqm) and 2.5 per cent (for greater than 250 sqm), of the circle rate of highest category of locality of the residential area surrounding the UC.
- For colonies on private land, the charge will be half of the charge on government land.
(With inputs from agencies)
