The Hindu 08.02.2011
Development charge to be levied in unauthorised colonies
Delhi Cabinet approves charging Rs.200 per square metre
In protest: BJP activists and senior party leaders V. K. Malhotra,
Vijender Gupta and Madan Lal Khurana demonstrating in New Delhi on
Monday against the Delhi Government’s decision to levy development
charge in unauthorised colonies. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
The recommendation of the Group of Ministers to levy Rs.200 per square
metre as development charge for regularisation of unauthorised colonies
was on Monday approved by the Delhi Cabinet.
Earlier, a committee constituted by the Cabinet under
the chairmanship of Delhi Urban Development Minister A. K. Walia and
comprising PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, Education Minister Arvinder
Singh Lovely and Social Welfare Minister Mangat Ram Singhal had
finalised and submitted its recommendations.
The committee had decided to levy a low development charge in view of the economic profile of most residents of these colonies.
A release issued by the Delhi Government said that to
provide further relief to the owners, it has been decided that they will
be allowed to make the payment within 90 days of the notification of
regularisation. It has also been decided that interest at the rate of 10
per cent per annum would be levied in case the charges are paid after
expiry of one year.
To facilitate payment of the charges in the colonies
itself, the residents’ welfare association would be allowed to collect
and deposit them in a special cell to be constituted in the Urban
Development Department.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has also been told to
expedite finalisation of lay-out plans of unauthorised colonies to
enable the Delhi Government to accelerate their regularisation process.
The Chief Minister said to streamline the functioning of
streetlights, the power distribution companies are also being directed
to pay proper attention to their maintenance and functioning.
