The Economic Times 16.08.2009

Slum-free city in 4 yrs: Sheila Dikshit

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government will soon start allotment of around 10,000 low-cost houses to the poor. Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit believes the initiative will make Delhi a slum-free city in the next three to four years.

The government will also improve the existing public distribution system to ensure supply of subsidized food to the poor.

The CM made these announcements on Saturday while hoisting the national flag for the 11th time at a state-level function at Ambedkar Stadium. Dikshit said that under this scheme the vulnerable families would become owners of their houses in well-developed colonies. A few days ago, Delhi government had announced that the poor rooted out of their homes to make space for Commonwealth Games-related projects would get priority during allotment process for the low-cost houses.

Spelling out the agenda for her government, the chief minister said Delhi was actively working to accelerate regularization of unauthorized colonies, which have already got the provisional regularization certificates. ‘‘The government is duty-bound to bring a visible change in such colonies. It will ensure better civic services to the lakhs of residents,’’ a government release noted.

The CM added the capital has an opportunity to emerge as a world-class city ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010. ‘‘The infrastructure which is being developed for the Games will be part of the legacy of the city. We will require a better civic sense and dedicated volunteers to present our etiquettes and courtesy during the Games. Schoolchildren and college students will be able to render constructive contribution in this regard,’’ she said.

Highlighting the achievements of her 10-year-old government, the chief minister claimed flyovers, FOBs with escalators, underpasses and expansion of Delhi Metro network have ‘‘improved’’ city’s infrastructure. Dikshit also talked about ‘‘gains’’ made in the field of education due to improved board results, opening of new schools and new universities.

While referring to the achievements in social sector, the chief minister termed Ladli scheme a success. She said the number of registration of girl child has overtaken registration of boys in the capital, which, she claimed, has happened due to the ambitious scheme.

Reaching out to Delhiites, Dikshit appealed to people to make rational use of electricity and water. ‘‘Even 10% cut in the consumption could help putting an end to the problem of loadshedding and shortage of drinking water,’’ the official statement said. The chief minister also asked people to preserve capital’s heritage.