First hurdle cleared, lots more await government | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
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First hurdle cleared, lots more await government

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Aug 29, 2012 02:10 AM IST

Though the Delhi government has paved the way for legitimising the illegal colonies, several hurdles remain in ensuring that these areas get the same treatment meted out to the rest of the approved colonies in the city. Neelam Pandey reports.

Though the Delhi government has paved the way for legitimising the illegal colonies, several hurdles remain in ensuring that these areas get the same treatment meted out to the rest of the approved colonies in the city.

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Individual property
Officials of the urban development department maintained that only the colonies have been given a legal tag, and not the houses. It means that every house owner residing in one of the 917 unauthorised colonies will have to apply to the respective corporations for getting his/her property regularised. "We have merely fixed the boundaries and cleared the colony. People will still have to get their building plans approved from the civic agency concerned," said a senior Delhi government official.

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Multi-ownership policy

Considering most of the houses in these colonies are builder flats built on a single plot, there is multiple ownership of the property. Presently, there is no such policy under which these people can apply for getting their houses regularised. "Those who can establish their ownership can apply but in the case of multiple ownerships, a new policy will have to be framed by the civic agencies and the

DDA," added the official.

Layout plans
All the three corporations will now have to prepare the layout plans wherein basic facilities and infrastructure that needs to be created will be earmarked. This includes school, sporting facilities, dispensaries, hospitals, fire stations, etc.

Pay for land
Colonies that have come up on public land will have to pay the cost of the land at the rate of R575 per square metres, and a penalty of 10-15 per cent for areas that are in proximity to the approved colonies. Development charges at the rate of R200 per square metres will also have to be paid by all the colonies whether on private or public land. Respective RWAs will have to approach the government for payment of such charges.

Infrastructure
A number of colonies that were legalised in the 1977 are still in a shambles with basic infrastructure such as sewage, parks, dispensaries and streetlights missing. The government has to ensure creation of infrastructure to make the move meaningful.


In black and white

Who will benefit out of it?
A total of 917 colonies spread across Delhi, which house 30 lakh people, will benefit from the move.

How will it be done?
First, Delhi government will fix the boundary lines and issue a regularisation certificate. The civic agencies will prepare layout plans for facilities such as schools, roads, fire stations, etc. The DDA will change the land use since a number of these colonies have come up on agricultural/public land.

Will it legalise individual properties too?
No. The government will issue certificates for colonies. People residing in such areas will have to apply individually to the respective corporations for legitimising their property.

What about property in builder flats, having multiple ownerships?
Since such property owners will not be able to apply for regularisation on individual basis, the government will have to clear a multi-ownership policy.

How will it affect sale and purchase of property?
Sale and purchase of property will now be allowed in such colonies after they are regularised. The move will also bring them under the ambit of property tax.

How will it affect property rates?
Prices of property in such colonies will soar as the government will allow registration of properties, paving the way for legal sale and purchase of property.

How much will you have to pay for legit tag?
Properties that have come up on public land will have to pay for the land as well. Such colonies will have to pay at the rate of R575 per square metres. A penalty of 10-15% will be levied on colonies that have come up in close proximity to approved colonies. In addition to the cost of land, development charges at the rate of R200 per square metres will be levied on all colonies getting legal status irrespective of the ownership (private/public) of the land.

What are the problems and challenges?
To ensure that the newly-approved colonies are provided proper facilities, the government will have to enhance infrastructure. It will have to procure more power and water, or else the approved colonies will suffer.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Neelam Pandey covers education sector and gender issues for Hindustan Times. She is a policy wonk with a keen interest in politics.

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