The Indian Express                20.08.2013

DDA gives nod for allotting flats built under EWS scheme

The decision was taken in the DDA authority meeting held on Monday.

These flats have been lying ready since March this year and
housing under this scheme will be allotted under a one-time package
where the cost will be partially subsidised.

All such rehabilitations will be examined on a case-to-case
basis. This move comes just ahead of the Assembly elections slated for
later this year.

“It was decided that since the EWS flats which are ready are
located in Dwarka, those living in slum clusters near Dwarka will be
rehabilitated in these flats. Six clusters at Indira Camp 2, 4 5, 3 and
6, Vikaspuri and Shankar Garden have been identified. The beneficiary’s
identification survey is almost complete,” DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar
said.

Part of the cost of these houses will be subsidised and a part
will be recovered from the beneficiary by way of equated monthly
instalments.

Once the beneficiaries are provided with flats, the jhuggies
occupied by them will be demolished and the land reclaimed. This land
will then be used as per the land use.

“Sufficient safeguards will be built for ensuring that the
beneficiaries do not part with flats. The flats will be given only on a
licence-basis till entire outstanding is paid by the beneficiary. This
whole scheme will be a one-time package,” Dhar said.

Around 10,440 such flats are presently under construction in
Rohini and 5,860 are being constructed in Narela, DDA officials said.
These flats are likely to be ready by this year-end.

The DDA has used pre-fabricated technology to construct these
units. The cost of one such flat has been worked out to be approximately
Rs 11 lakh.

“Those who have their ration cards and are living in slum areas in
Dwarka will be allotted EWS houses in the area. The DDA has been
delaying allotment of these flats. I have also asked that the DDA
Authority meeting take place more frequently before the code of conduct
comes into play ahead of the Assembly elections so that important policy
decisions can be cleared before that,”

non-official member Jitender Kochar said.

The issue of re-defining Zone O, which defines the Yamuna bed,
was also discussed in the meeting. It was proposed that the
residential areas and villages falling in Zone O should be transferred
to adjoining zones E, F and P-2, as the residents were unable to get
basic, physical and social infrastructure.

Implications of the proposal will be that the villagers and
those living in unauthorised colonies will get permission for
reconstruction and repair of buildings from local bodies and a large
number of residential areas will get minimum basic social and physical
infrastructure.

“The Authority discussed the concerns expressed by various
individuals and organisations and it was decided to put the proposal in
the public domain for objections and suggestions so that a conscientious
view can be evolved,” Dhar said.

During the process of review of Master Plan -2021, suggestions
were invited from public and residents’ welfare associations concerning
this matter.

It was observed that the boundary of Zone O needs to be revisited
in consultation with environment department of Delhi government.

“There are over 40 villages in and around the Yamuna and it was
decided that basic infrastructure may be created in colonies beyond 300
meters of the riverbed,” Kochar said.

Meanwhile, the proposal of increasing the height for
residential housing from 15 meters to 17.5 meters in case stilt parking
is provided was deferred.