New Delhi, Mar 23 : Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday launched a broadside in Delhi assembly against three BJP-ruled civic bodies accusing them of failing to carry out various developmental works, prompting a sharp reaction from the opposition party.
During a discussion on unauthorised colonies, Dikshit came down hard on the three civic bodies accusing them of failing to implement various schemes due their "lethargic approach".
"There is no dearth of money in municipal corporations. But there is a lack of intention to work. They do not want to work," Dikshit said.
BJP members took strong exception to Dikshit's criticism against the three municipal corporations and accused her of trying to shift the blame on the civic bodies to sheild the government from "peoples' ire for failure" in various fronts.
"The Chief Minister is using the House to criticise the municipal corporations. I condemn the statement of the Chief Minister", Leader of the Opposition V K Malhotra said.
Accusing Delhi government of trying to create "hurdles" in functioning of the civic bodies, Malhotra said the municipal corporations are finding it extremely difficult to carry out developmental activities due to non-release of funds by Dikshit government.
Urban Development Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely alleged the three municipal corporations have not yet finalised lay-out plans for unauthorised colonies, which has resulted in delay in facilitating various basic services in the colonies.
Delhi government had regularised 895 unauthorised colonies in September last year and subsequently asked municipal corporations to prepare layout plans for them so that basic infrastructure can be put in place as per the layout plan.
Delhi government had last week issued a notification paving the way for sale and purchase of properties in unauthorised colonies which came up on private land.
Lovely also made statement in the House apprising the members about the notification allowing sale and purchase of properties which came up on private land.
The decision to allow sale and purchase will bring relief to lakhs of residents of the colonies as government had restricted sale and purchase in the settlements after issuance of provisional regularisation certificates in 2008.
"We have already issued the notification. All the formalities are being completed. The actual registration of properties will start in two weeks," he said.
Lovely said registration will be allowed for properties that came up on land notified for acquisition but where no finacial compensation has been awarded. He said registration will also be allowed for properties on Gaon Sabha land which is in possession with the private owners.
The Urban Development Minister said government was considering allowing sale and purchase of properties that came up on government land in unauthorised colonies.
"Government would issue a detailed land status of unauthorised colonies, outlining khasra-wise private and government lands in the unauthorised colonies which were regularised recently," he said.
Lovely also told the House that government has issued an order allowing commencement of development work in 91 unauthorised colonies.
He said 950 unauthorised colonies have been covered under various developmental projects.
Delhi government had issued provisional regularisation certificates to over 1,639 unauthorised colonies ahead of assembly polls in 2008.
The then Dikshit government, while distributing the certificates, had promised to regularise the colonies if Congress came back to power for the third term.
Meanwhile, Speaker Yoganand Shastri revoked the suspension of BJP MLA Sahab Singh Chauhan who was suspended from the House yesterday for the remaining part of the session for disrupting the proceedings.
The MLA was suspended by Deputy Speaker Amrish Gautam after a resolution for his suspension was moved by Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami.
Gautam was presiding over the House in the absence of Yoganand Shastri.
Chauhan today sent a letter to Shastri expressing regret for his conduct, following which the Speaker revoked the suspension.
