AAP govt introduces bill to relax norms for slum rehabilitation

The Delhi government on Tuesday introduced a bill which aims to assure rehabilitation to dwellers of slums which came up between 2002 and 2006.

Till now, such a facility is available under the Delhi Urban Shelter lmprovement Board Act, 2010 only to those slums which came up before March 21, 2002.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia while tabling the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (Amendment) Act 2015 made an emotional appeal to political parties and city planners to give slum dwellers the due space they need for integration with society and economy.

In a strong pitch for planned systematic rehabilitation of slums, Sisodia, who also has the urban development portfolio, said a time had come when slum dwellers should get their due and should not be used just a vote banks by politicians.

“For decades, decision makers have posed as if they are doing something for slum dwellers but the intention to benefit the informal settlers has been missing,” he said.

The bill is aimed at bring the Delhi Urban Shelter lmprovement Board Act, 2010 with the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011 which entitles rehabilitation to slums dwellers who occupied their shanties before January 1, 2006.