Upkeep charge on illegal colonies soon

Delhi government may soon revise development charges on unauthorised colonies in the city. The group of ministers constituted by chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday decided bring down development charges to ensure that the "poor" living in those colonies could afford it.

"A consensus emerged on fixing charges at the minimum level keeping in view the character of unauthorised colonies and their owners coming from poor families and weaker sections of the society," a senior Delhi government official said.

Delhi cabinet had rejected the proposal brought by the department of urban development a few days ago on development charges and land cost to be collected from each household in unauthorised colonies.

The cabinet had felt that the rates proposed by the UD department were "hefty" and "unaffordable" for poor living in such colonies. The Cabinet had formed a four-member committee to chalk out a final proposal.

"The committee had its first meeting today. It decided that the rates should be revised and has asked the Delhi Jal Board, MCD and power discoms to come up with revised rates," said the official.