Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain has requested the Centre to provide pucca houses to thousands of slum dwellers residing across the railway tracks.
Jain said, “Jahan jhuggi, wahin makaan” was the promise made by both the AAP and the BJP. “Not only that, on the orders of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal but the Delhi Government has also made it a legal right of these poor families by formulating a policy to provide them pucca houses near their slums.”
The Central Government has also accepted this policy of the Delhi Government by filing an affidavit in another case in the Delhi High Court.
“The Delhi Government has over 40,000 flats, of which some are ready and some will be ready soon. These flats can also be used if needed, and the Delhi Government had also written a letter to the railways last week in this regard. But, these flats are located on the outskirts of Delhi. These flats can be given to slum dwellers who live in areas that do not have vacant land around and who cannot be provided houses under ‘Jahan jhuggi, wahin makaan’ policy,” he said.
He said the BJP and AAP have both promised the slum dwellers to provide them pucca houses located near their slums and the Delhi Government has set up this policy for the development of the slum dwellers.
“We must now find land around every slum area where pucca houses can be built for the slum dwellers. It will require the cooperation of all Government agencies. The support of various agencies will also be required. The Delhi Government is ready for full cooperation in this regard,” he said.
Jain has written a letter to Railways Minister Piyush Goyal saying it is not appropriate to demolish slums spread along the tracks during the time of coronavirus.
In the letter, he said, “A detailed plan has to be created to find out where every slum is to be built. We will cooperate fully with you in formulating these policies, and the Delhi Government can make these plans and give it to you if you need it.”