The Arvind Kejriwal-led Government has decided that all developmental works would be carried out by a single agency in all 1,639 unauthorised colonies in the national Capital.
In its order, the Department of Urban Development, Delhi Government has categorically stated that in order to avoid confusion due to multiplicity of authorities resulting in duplicity of works, lack of uniform quality and standards in the maintenance and development works, all such works will be assigned for execution in the unauthorised colonies to the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC ) as the sole agency.
But the order has made it clear that no ongoing works would be taken over by the DSIIDC as it may lead to confusion.
The order said: “It is, further, reiterated that each executing agency (other than DSIIDC) working in a particular unauthorised colony, shall prepare an account of development works carried out in all the unauthorised colonies (with colony-wise physical and financial status), estimates developed for future works, if any, records along with certified copies of vouchers and expenditure statement and transmit the same to the DSIIDC.” The agencies have also been directed to ensure that the works are carried out in accordance with the set guidelines. The Government has directed the Commissioners of the three municipal bodies, Principal Secretary (PWD), Principal Secretary (Irrigation and Flood Control) and MD of the DSIIDC to take necessary action in this regard.
The Government move to give all the powers to the DSIIDC to execute all developmental works in the unauthorized colonies is being interpreted in the political circles as an attempt by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to please his vote bank in this crucial segment which had whole-heartedly supported his party in the last Assembly elections.
Keeping an eye on the by-elections in 13 municipal wards, the AAP Government’s move to hand over all development works to the DSIIDC is also a serious attempt to put an end to the confusion prevailing in getting works done in these colonies due to multiplicity of authority in the city. At present, different agencies like the Public Works Department, Irrigation and Flood Control Wing and three BJP-led municipal bodies - SDMC, NDMC and EDMC are primarily responsible for carrying out developmental works in the unauthorised colonies.
In the last Assembly elections, Kejriwal had campaigned rigorously in the unauthorised colonies and he had also promised that each of these would be regularised in due course of time. Now, the AAP has already announced that it would be contesting in all the 13 municipal wards, which have fallen vacant in the recent past, in the coming bye-polls expected to be held in the second week of May. “That’s precisely, why the party wants to send a clear message that it wants to seriously carry out development works in the unauthorised colonies,” an AAP leader said.