Slum Dwellers Rehabilitation: Delhi High Court Asks Govt About Procedure For Allotment Of Low-Cost Flats Under JNNURM Scheme

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted four weeks time to the authorities for filing an affidavit indicating the procedure of allotment of low cost vacant flats, approximately 52,000 in number, constructed under Centre's Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission Scheme.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was dealing with a suo moto case registered by Justice Pratibha M Singh in June this year regarding non-allotment of flats constructed under the said Scheme, which was to be implemented by the Delhi Government, for rehabilitation of slum dwellers in the city.

The Court had noted that a large number of houses were either constructed or partially constructed but the same were yet to be allotted for rehabilitation of slum dwellers.

Today, Gautam Narayan representing the Delhi Government apprised the Court that an affidavit will be placed on record indicating the efforts made and the steps which are to be taken regarding the flat allotment. Accordingly, the respondent authorities sought time from the Court for filing an affidavit in the matter.

"Learned counsel for the respondents pray for four weeks time to file an affidavit informing the Court about further procedure of allotment of vacant flats. Time as prayed for is granted," the Bench ordered.

The matter will now be heard on August 22.

The suo moto cognizance was taken while Justice Singh was hearing a batch of petitions concerning the redevelopment of city's Kalkaji temple.

During the course of the said hearings, some jhuggi dwellers and other occupants were found to be unauthorised occupying land in the Kalkaji Mandir premises. Thus, the Court had passed orders for their rehabilitation and in the said process was exploring alternate accommodation for the occupants in terms of the policy of DUSIB, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and DDA.

Accordingly, on On 15th March, 2022, the Court was informed that approximately 52,000 flats, which were approved for construction under the JNNURM Scheme of the Central Government, had not yet been allotted due to the delay in execution of the agreement between the Central Government and the State Government.

Accordingly, the Court had called for a joint status report to be filed by the Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs along with Chief Secretary of Delhi Government.

Perusing the same, the Court noted that a large number of houses were either constructed or partially constructed but were yet to be allotted for rehabilitation of slum dwellers.

Considering the large number of houses which were to be constructed under the Scheme for which substantial funds had already been expended, the Court was of the opinion that the process of completion of the houses ought to proceed expeditiously, so that the slum dwellers in the city can be duly rehabilitated and can be offered these houses as per the policy framed.

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. UOI & Ors.