DDA'S EWS flats scheme challenged in HC, hearing on Sep 24

An organisation of slum dwellers Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court, challenging DDA's new housing scheme and seeking direction to the government to allot them the flats meant for the economically-weaker sections.

Slum dwellers residing in Shankar Garden and Indra Camp No 2, 4, and 5 at Vikaspuri, under the aegis of JJ Cluster Dwellers Welfare Association, moved the court saying they should be handed over the possession of 2,382 flats at Dwarka Sector 23, which they claim are now being offered in the DDA's 2014 housing scheme under the general category.

They said that on the basis of eligibility list prepared in August 2013, the EWS flats were to be allotted to slum dwellers for their rehabilitation.

On August 2, 2013, DDA had conducted a survey in the two areas at Vik aspuri to ascertain the number of persons figuring in the EWS. The authority later assured them that flats would be given at Sector 23, Dwarka, the plea said.

Seeking allotment of 2,382 flats at Dwarka sec tor 23, which are now the part of the DDA's Housing Scheme, the DDA cannot include these EWS flat in the regular housing scheme, it added.

Hearing the plea, Justice V.K Shali posted the matter for Sep 24 to hear the case on maintainability. The court asked slum dwellers association to explain on what basis they are challenging the new housing scheme.

The plea also said that it is illegal to offer already allocated flats for EWS category earmarked for slum-dwellers in the current housin g scheme. It said that over 2,000 fam ilies living in slums, particularly at Vikaspuri, were assured that they would be given allotment in these flats and the cluster shall be relocated or removed after each one gets flat under the EWS category.