The Delhi government would not charge any money, except the development charges, for regularising 1500 unauthorised colonies. Soon after the notification of the Master Plan, the Delhi Cabinet met to discuss the modalities of regularisation as it has been left to the state government to determine the charges, if any.
"We have decided to follow the policy laid down in 1977 wherein no charges were levied," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters after the Cabinet meeting. She said a fund is being created called unauthorised colonies development fund from which roads and civic infrastructure would be provided in these colonies.
Reacting to the MPD, Dikshit said: "The aspirations of the people of the city have been met. We are thankful to the Ministry and the Administrator of Delhi for its notification and including what the people of the city wanted."
Delhi BJP President Harsh Vardhan, however alleged that the MPD was a "political document issued for the sake of votes". He said rather than developing Delhi, it will ruin the city. "There is no time limit for the implementation of the plan and no accountability has been fixed," Harsh Vardhan added.
The BJP alleged that the half-baked MPD was notified with an eye on the MCD polls, likely to be held by the end of next month. "The framers of the MPD have not done anything for rehabilitating those traders whose shops were sealed and they lost their livelihood," Vardhan added.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP alleged that the half-baked MPD was notified with an eye on the MCD polls, likely to be held by the end of next month. "The framers of the MPD have not done anything for rehabilitating those traders whose shops were sealed and they lost their livelihood," Vardhan added.
{{/usCountry}}The Congress, however, described the MPD as visionary which will develop the city as per the wishes of the people. "The regularisation of the unauthorised colonies is the greatest gift of the government to the people of the city," said DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma.
Elated by the MPD, Delhi Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh sent letters of congratulations to UD minister Jaipal Reddy and his deputy Ajay Maken. "It will give relief to lakhs of people and will end the sense of fear in their minds," Singh said in his letter.
Email Amitabh Shukla: ashukla@hindustantimes.com