The National Green Tribunal on Friday rapped the Delhi government over alleged non-utilisation of Rs. 11.25 crore given to it by the Railways in 2003-2004 for rehabilitation of slum clusters along rail tracks here.
“What did you (Delhi government) do in all these years? After 2003 you did nothing. You received the money and kept it,” said a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar.
The observation came after the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) sought to put the onus on the transport behemoth, telling the Bench that the Railways had given it Rs.11.25 crore for relocation of jhuggis in 2003-2004, and as per the 2015 Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation policy, it was the land owning agency (Railways) that was responsible for rehabilitation of slums.
But Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand and advocate Om Prakash, appearing for the Railways, said that rehabilitation was a State subject and that the money had been lying with the DUSIB. As many as 257 JJ dwellers were rehabilitated by the Slum and JJ Department at an expenditure of Rs.52 lakh, the DUSIB said. The DUSIB added that it had flats constructed at Baprola and that the department was prepared to start the relocation of jhuggi basti at Azadpur and Lawrence Road. — PTI
