On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court established a committee including officials from the Centre and the city government to come to a conclusion concerning the issue of regularisation of unauthorised colonies, including the posh Sainik Farms at New Delhi.
A bench consisting of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Navin Chawla opposed of the matter going “back and forth” between the Centre and the Delhi government, noting that it has been “pending for over a decade”.
“This back and forth has to go. We cannot monitor it. We want you to decide it, whatever it takes,” the court told the central government standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, who represented the Ministry of Urban Development.
“The affidavit (of the Centre and the Delhi government) says that there is no effort on regularisation of the colonies, despite the fact that both the Union of India and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi met on the issue, but failed to take any decision,” the bench noted.
Noting that there is a need for changes in the policy on the issue, the bench said that committee should file an action taken the report in eight weeks. It further added that the committee will be chaired by the Secretary Ministry of Urban Development, principal secretary of Department of Urban Development (Delhi government), senior officials of the DDA, MCD, Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi Municipal Council, CPWD (Central Public Works Department), Public Works Department(PWD) and electricity distribution companies here. The committee has been directed to meet twice every month and will be responsible for looking after the relevant and practical aspects while taking some view.
The matter was then listed for hearing on August 18.
