The Indian Express 03.12.2013
Dhanas rehabilitation colony may be transferred to MC
The newly constructed rehabilitation colony at Dhanas is likely to be
transferred from the Chandigarh Housing Board to the Municipal
Corporation. While the Administration has passed the orders, the civic
body is in a quandary over taking charge with civic amenities still in
the process of being implemented. Also, several residents are still
awaiting allotment of the tenements.
A total of 8,448 one-room tenements have been constructed at
Dhanas for rehabilitation of slum dwellers. The keys were handed over by
the Prime Minister in September this year. After the demolition of
Colony Number 5, more allottes have been shifted to Dhanas. However, the
process of allotment is still going on with problems like incomplete
documentation, etc being there.
Mayor Subhash Chawla said, “The Administration has asked us to
take over the colony. This would entail ensuring provision of all basic
amenities to the rehabilitation colony. It would be a challenge as
people are still shifting and taking possession of the houses.”
The colonies under the scheme that have previously been
constructed are still under the CHB. This would be the first colony to
be transferred in such a short time to the Municipal Corporation. It has
been demanded that funds to manage the colony be transferred also. The
civic body has time and again demanded transfer of several functions
from the Administration. The civic body is still in a quandary over
taking over the colony. With a population of more than 40,000 to shift,
more staff would also be required.