Congress MP Manickam Tagore seeks to discuss "ongoing mass demolition drives in Delhi" in Lok Sabha

New Delhi [India], July 30 (ANI): Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion in the lower house to discuss the ongoing mass demolition drives in Delhi, saying that there has been a violation of the 2015 Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy.

Submitting an adjournment motion to the Lok Sabha Secretary General, Tagore said that the demolition was carried out in violation of the law, the flouting of judicial orders, which resulted in the displacement of thousands of people.

The election assurances made by the ruling party, especially the promise of Jahan Jhuggie, Wahan Makaan of providing 3.5 lakh pucca houses, in-situ rehabilitation, basic civic services, ownership rights and social welfare measures were broken which were abandoned in practice, the Lok Sabha MP wrote.

Citing the 2015 slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Return Policy, Tagore said that slums existing prior to January 1, 2006 cannot be demolished without alternative accommodation, and similarly new encroachments after January 1, 2015 must be removed only after adequate notice, temporary accommodation and giving basic amenities, with none of them being respected.

There has been a violation of the Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2015, under which Slums existing prior to 01-01-2006 cannot be demolished without alternative accommodation In slum areas notified as on 01-01-2015, slums cannot be demolished without alternative accommodation, New encroachments after 01-01-2015 must be removed only after adequate notice, three months of temporary accommodation and provision of basic amenities, he said in his adjournment motion.

Tagore alleged, the demolition proceedings without any rehabilitation or basic amenities were carried out in violation of the statutory safeguards under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board Act, 2010 and the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions II Act, 2011).

On July 28, the Congress MP had moved another adjournment motion to discuss the issue.

Since the issue has been raised by multiple parties, including the Aadm Aadmi Party, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on July 25 visited Jailerwala Bagh and Wazirpur areas in Ashok Vihar in the national capital, where the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) allegedly demolished over 500 slum dwellings. He met with the families displaced.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha has also recently announced that her government has allocated crores of rupees in the budget for the development of slum settlements, stating that whenever slums need to be removed for any reason, arrangements are being made to provide houses to the eligible residents so that they can be true citizens of the national capital. (ANI)

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