Govt to crack down on illegal colonies

Delhi Government today warned of strict action against the builders and officials found involved in allowing illegal colonies in agricultural land in the capital.

A decision in this regard was taken today at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who expressed concern over recent cases of misuse of agricultural land,particularly in Narela where some government officials allegedly in nexus with builders had sold the plots to unsuspecting buyers.

“Strict action would be taken against ongoing unauthorised construction in new colonies coming up on agricultural land and extension of 1639 unauthorised colonies which are being considered for regularisation,” PWD Minister Rajkumar Chauhan told reporters after the meeting.

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In Narela,the state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has recently registered an FIR against a dozen builders and officials of the revenue department,DDA,MCD and the Delhi Police for allegedly dividing the land into small plots and selling them to unsuspecting buyers.

Chauhan also advised the people to desist from investing their hard-earned money for such deals.

The Minister said that it has also been decided to take appropriate action against those officers who are found negligent in preventing such construction activities.

“The Cabinet has taken a serious view of unauthorised construction which is bound to damage planned growth of the city apart from creating hindrance in providing basic amenities.

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“It was also made clear that the officers will not be spared for dereliction in their duties. It is time to disseminate a crystal clear message that not even a single new unauthorised colony will be allowed,in any way,to come up in the capital city,” he said.

Chauhan referred to a committee constituted by Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna to monitor the growth of unauthorised construction in any part of the city and to ensure immediate appropriate action.

The Committee comprising of the concerned DC (Revenue),DCP,DC (MCD) and a senior officer from DDA Land Protection Branch will monitor the situation on a regular basis,he said.