Owners of 561 ex-illegal colonies can sell land

In a move that will benefit thousands of Delhiites living in unauthorised colonies that were regularised later, the Delhi government has decided to write to the Lieutenant Governor to de-notify the land in these areas.

In a move that will benefit thousands of Delhiites living in unauthorised colonies that were regularised later, the Delhi government has decided to write to the Lieutenant Governor to de-notify the land in these areas.

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De-notification ensures that the government makes necessary changes in its land records and allows its sale and purchase.

Once the land is de-notified, the owners of houses in 567 such unauthorised colonies in the Capital that were regularised in 1977-1978 will be able to get their properties registered or transferred.

At present, owners of such houses cannot take loans against those properties and civic and infrastructure development also gets hit because of this.

Though there are only a few khasras (plots) in such colonies, which have not been de-notified, officers agree that sub-registrars often avoid registering or transferring houses built on khasras which have been de-notified.

Delhi Urban development minister Ashok Kumar Walia said a large number of people have approached him in this regard and he will soon request the L-G to take necessary action.

In yet another important move, said Walia, the government has also decided to grant freehold rights to residents of 45 resettlement colonies, which were developed almost 40 years ago.

Walia said his department has finalised a scheme to offer free-hold rights to occupants of the colonies and an approval of the Union Urban Development Ministry will soon be sought in this regard.

"We are bringing in the Cabinet a proposal in this regard very soon. Once the Cabinet approves, we will send it to the union urban development ministry for approval," Walia said.

The minister said more than 15 lakh people live in these colonies in the city.