The Delhi government is unlikely to entertain fresh requests from the Delhi Development Authority to acquire farmland in outer and north Delhi. These are the only areas left with agricultural land in the city.
Delhi Land and Building Minister Mangat Ram Singhal said they were “not in favour of any new proposals for land acquisition at this juncture”. But he added there were no requests from the DDA at present to acquire land for developing commercial or residential areas. The minister told reporters on Friday that the government would take appropriate policy decisions once the Master Plan is notified.
Under the rules, the DDA needs the clearance of the Land and Building Departments to acquire land from farmers. After the clearance, the Lt. Governor issues a notification for the acquisition. The DDA gets it to put it to commercial, residential, institutional or recreational use after due compensation is paid to the farmers.
At present, only the Delhi Metro is acquiring land or built up property in the city on a priority basis. Other government agencies like the PWD or the Transport department do not acquire any land for their projects.
At the marathon Cabinet meeting to discuss the MPD-2021 on Friday, the dominant view was that planning should now be handed over to the state government from the DDA. This was also the view of most of the legislators at the Special Session of the Delhi Assembly on January 6 and 8. Officials said in their note to the Centre on the MPD that the Delhi government would request for the transfer of planning. “The Cabinet is likely to discuss the MPD on Saturday again before finalising its note for the Centre,” an official said.
{{/usCountry}}At the marathon Cabinet meeting to discuss the MPD-2021 on Friday, the dominant view was that planning should now be handed over to the state government from the DDA. This was also the view of most of the legislators at the Special Session of the Delhi Assembly on January 6 and 8. Officials said in their note to the Centre on the MPD that the Delhi government would request for the transfer of planning. “The Cabinet is likely to discuss the MPD on Saturday again before finalising its note for the Centre,” an official said.
{{/usCountry}}Email Amitabh Shukla: ashukla@hindustantimes.com