'Derogatory to say colonies illegal, their progress soon'

The Delhi government is awaiting the central government’s approval on a policy for carrying out development in unauthorised colonies, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told the Delhi Assembly on Wendsday, promising to speed up development work in all 1,639 colonies within six months.

During a short duration discussion on unplanned colonies that are home to nearly 50 lakh people, Sisodia said the term “unauthorised” for these colonies was derogatory.

“People living in these colonies cast votes, pay taxes and contribute to the development of the city. How can these colonies be called unauthorised?” he said.

“We are working so that the illegal tag of these colonies is lost,” said Siosodia, announcing that the government has already approved laying of water pipes in 207 colonies.

Several unauthorised colonies in Sangam Vihar and Rithala have already started getting piped water since the AAP government came to power, he said.

The minister said soon after the development policy is approved by the central government, the AAP government would seek help from civic agencies to speed up development work in these areas.

“We will not run away from our responsibility and own up shortcomings,” he said, indirectly blaming the “insensitive approach” of successive governments in the city towards these unplanned colonies, which lack basic amenities.

Earlier, taking part in the discussion, several AAP legislators including Gulabh Singh, Sanjeev Jha, Somnath Bharti and Fateh Singh highlighted the steps taken by the government to tackle shortage of potable water, absence or roads, lack of health and education facilities in these colonies.

Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta slammed the AAP government for not doing anything for these colonies for nine months and claimed there were 50 colonies where residents have no power connection.

BJP legislator O P Sharma said the Kejriwal government has forced residents to live like “second rate” citizens. BJP legislator Jagdish Pradhan highlighted problems of stalled sewer laying work in unauthorised colonies in Vishwas Nagar.