Six years ago, the Delhi Government completed the construction of 14,000 houses meant for the economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society. Today, the flats are still empty and show signs of wear and tear without any power or water supply facility in the complex. Such is the state of the Rajiv Ratna Awas Yojana scheme, which is meant to provide low-cost homes to eligible applicants. Due to ambiguity over the definition of EWS under which applicants will be eligible, the Government has failed to allot the houses despite receiving thousands of applications over the years.
It is noted that there are only 3,000 applicants are eligible. Taking serious note, the Delhi Government has now planning to give these flats on rent. lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday reviewed the flats for urban poor and directed to ensure allotment of 8,815 flats, which are ready to be occupied by the eligible families and hand over possession to them as soon as possible and complete the entire process in the next three months. It was decided that the first batch of 400 allottees will be given possession of their flats on December 9, 2014. The process of handing over possession will continue and possession of all the 8,815 flats will be handed over during the first quarter of 2015. All flats are to be handed over in repaired condition,
including with water and power connections before the possession of the flat is
handed over.
The flats which are to be handed over to the eligible slum dwellers and economically weaker sections are in Bawana, Baprola, Bhorgarh and Narela. The number of flats in Baprola is 5,568 and in Bawana there are 893 flats. Besides this, there are 942 flats in Bhorgarh and 1,412 flats in Narela.
These flats have been constructed by the DSIIDC limited. DUSIB has already identified families in the 32 slum clusters across Delhi who will be given possession of these flats. The residents of slum clusters who will be given flats in this phase include Netaji Nagar, East Kidwai Nagar, Pratap Camp, Badli, Khichripur, Kali Bari Marg, RK Puram, Sunheri Bagh, Kirbi Place, Jwalapuri, Mayapuri, Punjabi Bagh and DDU Marg.
According to a Press release issued by lieutenant Governor’s office, it will be a big step forward in making Delhi slum-free and providing the much-needed facilities to economically weaker sections. The necessary social infrastructure around the newly-constructed flats has also been developed. North Delhi Municipal Corporation has constructed school buildings adjacent to the housing complexes. Dispensary, Mother Dairy booth, underground water reservoir have also been constructed Bus connectivity from the site to various places in Delhi has been provided. A local market to sell grocery items, fruits and vegetables is also located near the complex.