The issue of demolition of illegal constructions in Delhi allegedly in violation of the Special Provisions Act is likely to be raised in the Delhi Development Authority meeting on Friday.
Jitender Kochar, the non-official member of the DDA, said he would raise the issue in the meeting as he has been receiving complaints from people saying their houses are being razed by the authority even when they were carrying basic upkeep.
The Special Provisions Act, 2007, protects illegal construction which had come up on DDA land prior to February 2007 from demolition. The structure can be demolished only if any further construction is done to occupy more land or any major alteration is carried out.
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“If a poor man has made a ‘kuccha’ (temporary) house in 1980s and now he has some money to build a ‘pucca’ (read concrete) roof over his head, can he not do it? The authority is now going and demolishing houses even if somebody is getting the house fixed. What is the use of the Special Provisions Act when a poor man cannot fix even the ceiling of his house which leaks when it rains?” questioned Mr. Kochar.
He said it is nothing but harassment of the poor.
“I would take up the issue and demand an amendment to the Act so that it allows minor upkeep in the structures,” he said.
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