Repairs, final allotment of flats for economically weaker section yet to startWait for rehabilitation gets longer for Khori oustees

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, December 3

The wait for rehabilitation of oustees of Khori village colony gets longer as the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) is yet to start the process of repairs and final allotment of the economically weaker section (EWS) flats.

The rehabilitation move was launched in compliance with the Supreme Court order, after the demolition drive was carried out in Khori in June and July this year, said officials of the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF). Spread over 150 acres, the colony came up illegally on forest land several years ago. However, according to civic body sources, the process of allotment of flats has failed to start in view of the delay in repairs of the flats that had been lying in a dilapidated condition. It is claimed that though 890 flats had been allotted on a provisional basis in September this year, almost all flats are lying unoccupied. The civic body had offered around 2,545 flats lying vacant in Dabua colony and Bapu Nagar here.

“I had applied for one in August, but there is no response yet,” claims Pritam whose house was demolished in Khori. “The authorities have failed to provide either a flat or the rent to anyone till date,” claims Phulwa Devi of the Majdoor Awas Sangharsh Samiti and one of the oustees. Claiming that a majority of residents had moved elsewhere and chances of getting rehabilitation seemed bleak, she said the number of flats offered had been minuscule in comparison to the affected persons. Some of the families were still lodged at Khori without any civic amenity, it is claimed. “While the first phase of the tender process for repair work has been completed, the flats will be handed over by April 30 next,’’ says Yashpal Yadav, Commissioner, MCF. Revealing that Rs 18 crore will be spent, he said the allotment based on eligibility criteria was likely to be done in January next. The rent to the allottees will also be paid as per the norms, he said adding that around 6,000 applications have been received. Over 9,500 houses had been razed in July in compliance with the Supreme Court order of June 7 last.