Delhi seeks Centre's stand on illegal colonies

Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday asked the central government to clarify once and for all if it wanted to regularise unauthorised colonies across the national capital.

Jain's remarks came a day after Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on the issue, saying it has failed to regularlise even one unauthorised colony in the past two years.

Speaking to reporters here, Jain, who is also Delhi's Health Minister, said the Delhi government was ready to issue the "regularisation certificate" to some 1,640 unauthorised colonies "within 24 hours" if the Centre approved it.

"In the meantime, work is going on a war footing to provide basic facilities in all these colonies till they are regularised," he said.

Jain said he had written to the Centre in November 2015, asking for regularisation of these colonies.

"In September last year, they sent us a large number of queries which will take years to answer even if we want to.

"Even the Delhi High Court yesterday (Wednesday) took notice of that and asked the Centre to reply within four weeks if it wants to regularise these colonies at all," he said.

--IANS

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