Regularisation of unauthorised colonies was highlighted as one of the biggest achievements by the former Sheila Dikshit Government in Delhi.
However, an audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for the financial year 2012-13 has revealed that the Delhi Government's Urban Development Department “failed to provide basic services in the 895 unauthorised colonies despite spending crores”. This, apart from raising questions about the functioning of the Union Ministry of Urban Development, which according to the CAG “made certain changes in the guidelines – which were not in accordance with revisions approved by the Union Cabinet – on the basis of which Regulations 2008 were framed”.
“The Urban Development Department, GNCTD, has failed to provide basic services like sewer lines, water lines, roads and drainage to all the 895 unauthorised colonies despite incurring an expenditure of Rs.3,029.21crore up to March 2013,” the report said.
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Commenting on the role of the MoUD, the report said: “The Regulations 2008 after amendments made thereto in June 2008 and June 2012 deviated from the guidelines approved by the Union Cabinet for regularisation of unauthorised colonies in Delhi. Issue of Provisional Regularisation Certificates was not envisaged in the Guidelines.” Commenting on the regulations that were not in accordance with the original guidelines, the report said: “Several discrepancies were found in fixation of boundaries by GNCTD. Boundaries were fixed without verification of khasras by the Revenue Department, resulting in allotment of excess khasras to RWAs. Prohibited areas, DDA hindrances, overlapping of boundaries etc. were not considered during boundary fixation in contravention of amended regulations.”