With focus on development of JJ clusters and unauthorised colonies, the Centre on Friday increased the fund for providing toilets and other basic amenities by 100 per cent in the national Capital. The Government allocated Rs35 crore for the purpose in the Budget presented in Parliament for building toilets in the JJ clusters. This is more than a 100 per cent rise from Rs17 crore in 2013-14. Besides, the Government also proposed a plan outlay of Rs215 crore for housing and urban development sector for constructing over 58,000 houses for the economically weaker section (EWS).
“The lack of toilets not only creates health problems, but also raises concerns about safety of women. The Government of NCT will endeavour to provide toilet facilities to all slum dwellers in Delhi in the current financial year. I propose to increase the plan outlay for the purpose from Rs17 crore in 2013-14 to Rs35 crore in the
current financial year,” Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in his Budget speech. He also said that piped water
facility will be provided in 50 unauthorised colonies and sewerage system will be laid in 95 unauthorised colonies. A plan of Rs711 crore has also been allocated for providing essential services in such colonies. An estimated 40 lakh people live in unauthorised colonies in the city.
The Finance Minister also proposed a plan outlay of Rs215 crore for housing and urban development sector for the fiscal year. Jaitley said that the Delhi Government is constructing about 58,064 houses for those belonging to economic weaker section under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), out of which 14,844 have been completed, adding that steps are being taken to complete the remaining houses.