Rajya Sabha MP and Former BJP Delhi President Shri Vijay Goel today met Vice Chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Shri Balwinder Kumar and proposed the adoption of Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Policy in Delhi. He also discussed the matter of DDA’s Housing Scheme of 2014 which he believes should benefit majorly the people of Delhi.
Shri Goel said, “I met Shri Balwinder Kumar today and proposed that for the rehabilitation of people living in slums and JJ clusters, we must adopt the model on the lines of Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Policy. Recently, I was in Mumbai and met developers and got a basic understanding of this model and can be adopted in Delhi.”
According to this policy, people living in JJ clusters and slums will be given accommodation in the rebuilt JJ colony. During the ongoing period of construction, slum dwellers will be provided alternative accommodation, the cost of which will be borne by the developer. In return, the developer is given 50% of the plot which he can use as a business opportunity.
He said, “More than 52% of Delhi’s population is living in slums and JJ clusters across Delhi. The problems of housing, water, power, sanitation in these areas are a matter of great concern and we must address this issue at the earliest possible.”
Vacant plots of DDA across Delhi have given rise to over 290 slums over these idle lands. 1925 vacant plots summing upto over 5000 acre of land can prove to be very resourceful in this endeavour. They can be auctioned and can generate resources required for the rehabilitation policy.
Earlier this year, DDA had launched a very competitive scheme inviting applications for Rs100 each for its housing scheme of 2014 offering 25034 flats. As reported, DDA received a record of over 10 lakh applications.
Regarding this Shri Goel said, “The housing scheme should be aimed at benefiting the people of Delhi. DDA is Delhi Development Authority and not Hindustan Development Authority. It is saddening to see that in these nine lakh applications received by DDA, over 60% from people outside from Delhi.”
DDA has accumulated a record volume of 800 crore through the applications received for its 2014 housing scheme. However, it must clarify the refund policy for the people who won’t get a flat in the draw of lots and must give interest to applicants who don’t get a flat.
