Bill in LS to extend special provisions for Delhi

On the day Delhi turned 100, the Government introduced a Bill that seeks to extend special provisions for the National Capital Territory (NCT) for three more years. But, most Opposition members were unhappy as the Bill does not address their demand for full statehood for the National Capital.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Bill 2011, introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, proposes to come into force from January 1, 2012 and covers many challenges thrown up by growing urbanisation.

However, the Bill does not seek to address the contentious issue of statehood for Delhi, a long-pending demand by the BJP, the leading Opposition party as well as BSP, Left and other parties.

Participating in the debate, Opposition members called for full statehood for Delhi. They said multiplicity of authorities and powers regarding law and order and urban development remaining with the Centre were major factors hampering the city’s growth.

BJP leader, Mr Shahnawaz Hussain, who initiated the discussion, said the Master Plan had “grave errors” and alleged that Delhi authorities had acquired land at throwaway prices from farmers and sold it at exorbitant rates to builders and the rich.

He said for the common man, housing had gone “out of reach” in the city. “What happened to DDA’s plans to build two lakh flats for the common man each year,” he said.

Mr Shailendra Kumar (SP) and Mr A. Sampath (CPI-M) also supported the demand for full statehood to Delhi, with the latter raising the problems faced by the slum dwellers, including those allegedly “evicted” during the Commonwealth Games.

Bahujan Samaj Party member, Mr Vijay Bahadur Singh, said a “permanent cold war” between the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Development Authority was making matters worse for the Capital.

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