L-G panel submits report; Centre keen to regularise localities before Assembly polls

A high-level panel headed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday submitted its report to Union Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on how to give land titles to nearly one third of the Capital’s population living in unauthorised colonies.

The Centre formed the panel in March and sought its report within 90 days. Puri on Monday tweeted: “I am delighted to announce that Hon’ble LG Shri Anil Baijal Ji has handed over the report of the committee to me today in the stipulated time frame of 90 days. We will now proceed for necessary approvals.”

Sources said the Committee has suggested transfer of ownership on the basis of categorisation of colonies. “It seems that the Centre is keen to implement the recommendations ahead of the Assembly polls next year in Delhi,” sources added.

There are over 1,797 unauthorised colonies in the national Capital. Nearly 4 million migrant population living in them play a vital role in deciding the fate of political parties during elections.

Apart from the L-G, the committee consisted of DDA Vice-Chairperson, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Delhi Chief Secretary, Commissioners of East, North and South Delhi municipal corporations, Prof PSN Rao, who is chairperson of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission, Prof Sanjay Gupta from the School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), Jagan Shah from National Institute of Urban Affairs, GC Mishra, director, Delhi Fire Services, and DDA Principal Commissioner.

As per the regulations of March 24, 2008 and subsequent modifications, the Delhi Government had to play the lead role in identifying and carrying out the Total Station Survey (TSM), but it was stopped in March 2018.

The State Government’s Revenue Department had been tasked with the responsibility of completing the mapping of the 1,797 unauthorised colonies before the September 30, 2019 deadline set by the Delhi High Court.

The cut-off date for regularisation of construction in these colonies is January 1, 2015. Sources in the MoHUA said that the Delhi Government was expected to create a separate cell to carry out the work relating to regularisation of unauthorised colonies and finalise the boundaries of each identified colony on the layout plan by using satellite/aerial survey images for the approval of the local body. This has unfortunately not been done in last 10 years despite repeated reminders/reviews by the Government of India.

According to the terms of reference, the Committee has to suggest a process and mechanism for conferring or recognising rights of ownership or transfer or mortgage to the residents of unauthorised colonies and consequential benefits. The committee has also asked to recommend measures, including revision, if any, in urban planning and development control norms, to ensure redevelopment for improving living conditions in these colonies. The Ministry had also directed to recommend the roles and responsibilities of all agencies concerned.

It has also been asked to suggest a methodology for conferment of ownership or transfer rights to residents including eligibility and conditions for regulation of the beneficiaries.