The Hindu       10.11.2014 

DDA policy to provide relief to 5 lakh displaced people

Over five lakh displaced people staying in DDA properties without official authorisation or on lease by paying damages will soon be benefitted with the land agency working on formulating a policy to regularise such properties.

DDA vice-chairman Balvinder Kumar has initiated the process of formulating a policy for thousands of properties occupied by displaced persons and others from 1940 onwards on the basis of “paying damages” or “leases” in 23 nazul estates of Delhi in areas like Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Anand Parbat, Chuna Mandi, etc.

The DDA said government land falling under these 23 nazul estates, after partition, was mainly occupied by refugees, who settled in these open spaces without official authorisation. These occupants were issued slips known as “damages slips” for using the government land. On constitution of the DDA in 1957, these lands were transferred to the land agency. The number of such properties in 1959 was approximately 18,179.

Over a period of time, these plots were either inherited, subdivided or sold and “damages slips” became the basis of various transactions, i.e., sale mutation etc. and in many cases the transactions were registered also. The “damages”, as per the slips issued, were being collected through Damages Collectors.

The DDA said the number of these properties have now multiplied many times and there are around one lakh families, i.e., about five lakh occupants who are staying in these properties after paying damages and many even without paying any damages. Some of the land in these areas was on leasehold basis and continues to be occupied by such occupants even though the leases have either expired or have been cancelled /determined.

“In order to provide relief to such thousands of unauthorised occupants who have been continuing to occupy government land either without official authorisation or through leases for more than 60 years, a policy is being formulated to regularise such occupancy. For working out the basic guideline, details of the households, their occupants are being collected from the Census House Listing Schedules of 2010-2011, where each structure has been listed along with the status of the owner or the tenant. Help of the National Population Register-2011 and various socio-economic surveys are also being taken to get the exact details,” the DDA said.

The occupants in areas like Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Anand Parbat and Chuna Mandi were issued “damages slips”

The Hindu       10.11.2014 

‘Civic body has given city a base to take great strides’

Suave and sophisticated, Mohammed Majid Hussain has lent a certain dignity to the chair of Hyderabad’s first citizen. As the Mayor, he has taken along elected representatives and officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to register good revenue growth for the civic body and has ushered in plans to improve amenities in the city. “Hyderabad is poised for great strides with the base that we have successfully provided in the last three years,” Mohammed Majid Hussain tells T. Lalith Singh .

What have been the achievements of the civic body in the last three years?

We have provided financial stability to the civic body which helps it in planning projects (small and big) for the city in a better way. From a mere Rs. 300 crore three years back, the property tax collections have risen beyond Rs. 1,000 crore. In all aspects, we have placed the GHMC in a position where it can focus on development and provide better amenities for the citizens.

When I took the reins, fund crunch used to be an obstacle in conceiving and implementing policies or projects. But the civic body could overcome it in my term and that gives me immense satisfaction.

Is the civic body able to live up to the aspirations of the citizens?

Look, citizens get what the GHMC provides. The civic body is definitely able to provide better amenities to the citizens now. In fact, I can proudly say that we are doing much better than most others in the country. Despite few glitches, our roads and sanitation system are far ahead of other cities.

But city roads get clogged during rains and garbage is not really handled well?

Yes, I concede the need for improvement in these issues. Hyderabadis have every right to demand better roads and sanitation. I assure that roads are going to be improved further with comprehensive road development work taken up at a cost of Rs. 700 crore. Also, plans are in right direction for garbage collection and disposal and the results can be seen in the coming days.

There are complaints regarding water bodies and greenery being neglected in the city?

Complaints will be there and I take every complaint seriously. But let me put this on record that the city has registered more action with regard to conserving lakes and increasing green cover during my tenure. Hyderabad has been known for its water bodies and green cover and there won’t be any compromise in improving these. Our efforts have yielded results in protection of 78 lakes and the bio-diversity index has gone up.

As the Mayor, how has been your rapport with corporators and officials?

(Laughs aloud) I must be the only Mayor whose resignation was rejected unanimously. That shows how good my rapport has been with all. I share a good relation with all and have taken them along in my pursuit of developing the city.

How do you look back at your tenure as Mayor?

I feel happy and satisfied at having delivered the goods. My term had the city playing host to global events such as CoP-11 and World Metropolis Congress. I am satisfied that I could implement the policies of my party (MIM). And, we also sought to bring more cheer for the citizens with last week’s decision to waive off property tax for those paying the tax up to Rs. 4,000. It will be a big relief for the poor, lower middle and middle class sections.