BJP, govt battle over unauthorised colonies

Development work at unauthorised colonies has become the political battleground, with BJP wanting to pump in money for development work in these colonies, but Delhi government deputing its various agencies such as Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) to carry out development work.

‘We have allocated crores to carry out development works in the regularised unauthorised colonies, but the Delhi government is deliberately creating hurdles over it,’ said Rajesh Gehlot, chairman of standing committee in South DMC. 

As per the existing rules, an MP or MLA can use his funds for carrying out development works in these regularised and unauthorised colonies but not a councillor. Interestingly, all the seven MP seats in the city are with the Congress, which also rules the city government, but the BJP rules the three civic bodies. The BJP leaders

in the three civic bodies allege that the government is restricting them from working in these areas to keep them away from the colonies which are considered major vote banks due to their dense population.  

‘Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in a meeting last week, had assured us that the order would be issued soon so that a councillor can use his funds for development works in these unauthorised and regularised colonies but now she has ditched us,’ alleged Mahendera Nagpal, leader of house in North DMC. 

BJP leaders are worried that if they are not allowed to invest in development of these colonies they will have nothing to draw residents in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Delhi government has already taken a lead with its agencies carrying out development works in all 895 colonies that have been regularised.