Delhi government, that is Aam Aadmi Party, will soon bring 6,178 flats to launch for the poor people living in ‘Jhuggi’ and ‘Jhopari’ (slums and huts) at these 4 locations – Lajpat Nagar, Bhalswa, Dev Nagar, and Mongol Puri.
The project was approved by the party leader Arvind Kejriwal under Delhi Slum & Jhuggi Jhopri Rehabilitation & Relocation Policy 2015 taking in consideration the in-situ upgradation on the land of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). Total cost for the project was decided as Rs. 866 Crore – as per a spokesperson of Delhi government.
The policy, however, had received the nod from the board as well as the cabinet last year but as the file was received by the lieutenant governor, they pointed out observations in regards with the charges. As per LG, the rate was supposed to be charged from the agencies owning the land at government-to-government rate rather than surrounding rates.
Second issue as faced during the approval was the responsibility of rehabilitation to be bore by the agencies or government, whoever is the owner of the land. For instance, JJ Bastis’ land whether owned by Central government or agencies like DDA, railways and others, the respective agency may be liable to bring about the rehabilitation at their own as per Delhi government’s policy or they may entrust employment to DUISB.
The deadline for the project so decided was as January 1, 2015. This implies that the clusters entering the project post to this date will be demolished and will carry no eligibility for the rehabilitation.
To the other side, as the AAP government had formed their government on February 14, 2015 they wished to bring this proposal on the very same day. In fact, “Jaha Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan”’ was the principal poll policy of the Delhi government.
Through this policy, the efforts are being made to rehabilitate eligible Jhuggi dwellers at their same, original location or at location nearby, in the radius of 5km. Relocation of the dwellers may be done if required and as an exceptional case.
Who are the eligible Jhuggi dwellers? The dwellers living in slum areas and whose names are present in electoral list of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 at least once; and in the survey list. The list of documents includes electricity bills that will be taken as a proof for residence.
