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.