The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi Govt. demands share in DDA revenue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 24, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Delhi Govt. demands share in DDA revenue

Staff Reporter

Commercial sale of land and property in the City

NEW DELHI: With the Delhi Development Authority raking in moolah through sale of land in the Capital, the Delhi Government on Wednesday demanded that it be given 25 per cent share of the revenue generated from the commercial sale of land and property in the city by the housing agency.

"DDA has been unable to cater to the rising housing needs and this led to mushrooming of unauthorised colonies in Delhi over the past few decades. There has also been a rise in the number of slum clusters including those on DDA land and the Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi were ultimately entrusted with the task of providing civic and other services to such areas and colonies. Therefore, it is important that we should be given a share in the revenue from the sale of land that belongs to Delhi and its people,'' Finance Minister and Planning Board Deputy Chairman A. K. Walia said after a meeting here.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for an appraisal of the 11th Five Year Plan and the priorities that need to be outlined to keep pace with the increase in population and demands of rapid urbanisation.

Soon after the meeting, Dr. Walia said DDA had been selling commercial land and property in open auction over the past few years but it had not contributed to the welfare of the people or for the upkeep of services in the areas it had developed and then handed over to the MCD and the Delhi Government for maintenance.

It was felt that DDA should contribute to the development and maintenance of services and therefore the Delhi Government has now decided to seek it share in the revenue generated through this process.

"We are going to make a demand for 25 per cent share in the revenue from sale of commercial land and property. The proposal will be sent to the Union Urban Development Ministry with supporting documents so that justice is done and funds are generated for future development of various areas,'' he added.

Dr. Walia said there were around 800 slum clusters on DDA land and whenever they are removed or relocated it falls upon the Delhi Government to provide services and MCD to cater to civic amenities. On the other hand, DDA sells the vacated land at high premium and rakes in rich moolah, contributing virtually nothing for the rehabilitation of such clusters and re-settlement colonies.

"What we are demanding is just and legitimate. It is time that everybody contributes for this cause and shares the burden of development of the poor and provision of various amenities to them," he remarked.

Dr. Walia said the meeting on Wednesday took stock of the various developments with the vision for the future. It was decided at the meeting that power, water, transport and health along with development of infrastructure would get priority in the 11th Five Year Plan. The idea was to merge the whole planning process with the Master Plan for Delhi-2021 that should reflect the ground realities and true aspirations of the people of Delhi.

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