Amidst ruckus, Delhi Assembly passes resolution for ownership rights to allottees of gram sabha land

The Delhi Assembly on Wednesday passed a government-sponsored resolution demanding ownership rights to those who were allotted small plots of gram sabha land under the Centre's 20-point programme around four decades ago.

Speaking during the discussion on the resolution moved by Law Minister Kailash Gahlot, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he and all MLAs would seek an appointment with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and request him to give his nod to the demand.

Kejriwal said thousands of families living in Mehrauli, Najafgarh, Kanjhawala, Narela and Alipur villages, who were allotted small plots of gram sabha land in the 1970s and early 80s, are facing hardship.

"In several states, ownership rights have been given to those who were allotted these plots. But in Delhi, these allottees have not got ownership rights so far. They are not begging, instead they are seeking their rights," Kejriwal said.

The Delhi government had already approved the Bhumidhari (ownership) right in 2012; but as the then LG had a difference of opinion on this issue, he had referred the matter to the President.

"We all will also meet Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu," Kejriwal said.

The erstwhile Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government, just four months before the Delhi Assembly polls in 2013, had held a mega event in Yamuna Sport Complex, where Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had distributed the ownership certificates to a few families.

Dikshit had stated that around 2.5 lakh plot holders would benefit from the scheme. At present, there are about seven lakh families residing in the 45 resettlement colonies.

Meanwhile, two men hurled paper missiles inside the Assembly while the session was underway, leading to a scuffle in which they were allegedly thrashed by some Aam Aadmi Party legislators.

The two men, identified as Rajan Kumar and Jagdeep Rana, wearing headgear were sitting in the Visitors' Gallery when suddenly they threw paper missiles inside the House and raised "Inquilab Zindabad" slogans.

In the note found printed inside the paper missiles, the duo have claimed that they were AAP workers and took the step as they were unhappy with the Arvind Kejriwal-led party and the alleged "corruption cases" against Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain.

Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel ordered one month jail for the two protesters.

Rana was an AAP candidate in 2013 from Adarsh Nagar constituency in Delhi, while Kumar is a leader from the Punjab unit of AAP.

The Speaker, in strong words, directed the secretary level officers of the Delhi government to remain present at Officers' Gallery during any debate or discussion and to ensure that no visitor should be allowed without proper identification.