Govt okays slum and JJ rehabilitation policy

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, December 16

The Delhi Government today approved "Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy - 2015" at a time when a draft policy sent around two and a half months ago by it is pending with the Union Urban Development Ministry for its nod. 

The decision, which was taken at a board meeting of DUSIB chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, assumes significance in view of the last week's controversial demolition of slums in Shakurbasti area which allegedly killed an infant triggering a fresh tussle between the Kejriwal government and Centre. 

The AAP government has also incorporated a provision in the rehabilitation policy that no land agency, including DDA, will carry out demolition in slum clusters in Delhi without prior approval of DUSIB despite court's cases.

Going by the rehabilitation policy, JJ clusters which have come up before January 1, 2006, will not be removed without rehabilitation and the cut-off date for eligibility to get an alternative accommodation for those living in these clusters would be February 14, 2015 instead of June 4, 2009. 

The dwelling unit will be allotted to the eligible JJ dweller for 10 years on leasehold basis after which it will be converted into freehold as per the prevalent policy.

As per the policy, no new jhuggi will be allowed to stay after February 14, 2015, the day AAP formed government last year. 

DUSIB will soon work out a plan and implement in-situ rehabilitation and re-development of JJ clusters after weighing the technically viability.