The Arvind Kejriwal Government has decided to open the registration (sale and purchase) of properties that were declared “unauthorised” by civic bodies and the DDA for violating building norms. According to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the registry will be opened from April 1 in this regard. The sale and purchase of such properties was banned in Delhi post-lalita Park tragedy in trans-Yamuna in which 71 people died and many sustained grievous injuries in 2010. With the new decision, sale and purchase of ‘illegal’ properties will be allowed in Delhi.
Strangely, the Kejriwal Government has reversed the decision of previous Congress Government banning registration of those properties that were structurally unsafe or had violated the building bylaws. The big question is who would be responsible if lalita Park-type tragedy occurs in future.
The most glaring part is that file pertaining to previous order has gone missing. The Pioneer had earlier reported that the AAP Government was planning to open registry of booked properties or that were declared unsafe by the MCDs to generate more revenue in view of deteriorating financial health.
According to Sisodia, this will enable several thousand property owners to get their properties registered. Registration in unauthorised colonies and registration of booked properties were the long pending demands of the residents of Delhi. The Delhi Government has fulfilled its promise to take steps for the same.
Under the present rules, any unauthorised construction is ‘booked’ and the information is sent to the sub-registrar in the Revenue Department, so that the sale or rent deeds of the property cannot be registered. Such ‘illegal’ properties are not allowed to be sold or rented. It is also learnt that despite the ban, sale and purchase of such properties was being done through General Power of Attorney (GPA).
At least 8-10 lakh properties were declared ‘unauthorised’ construction, in the past few years on several grounds - including illegal constructions, violation of building bylaws or dilapidated buildings posing threat to human life. It is noted that a similar proposal was mooted during President’s Rule last year but the same was turned down by the lieutenant Governor and the Chief Secretary of Delhi.
An order for allowing sale and purchase of ‘illegal’ properties is ready with the Revenue Department and it has been approved by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is also holding the charge of Finance Department.
As per the proposal, the Delhi laws (Special Provisions) Act 2014 has prohibited action against properties that have violated the building bylaws in the Capital so there is no need to carry on ban on such properties.
There is a general perception in the Government that if they allowed the sale and purchase of such properties, it will give big relief to the people. The decision will not only help check corruption in sub-registrar offices across the city, but also help generate revenue from registration of such properties. The decision will also help fix responsibility in case of any tragedy, as in most of the cases records are not available with the department.