By Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — As Delhi and Central authorities begin regularising 1,511 unauthorised colonies, residents and political leaders have alleged that Muslim-majority localities have been systematically left out of the process.
The Centre and Delhi government launched the regularisation drive on April 24. The process follows an “as-is, where-is” policy, which recognises existing structures without demanding new layout plans.
Around 45 lakh residents are expected to gain legal ownership, enabling property registration, redevelopment, and access to bank loans. Forty-five days have been given to issue conveyance deeds, including a 7-day GIS survey.
Officially, areas on the Yamuna floodplain, forest lands, and protected monuments have been excluded from the regularisation drive.
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the move as part of the BJP-led government’s push for “planned and inclusive urban development” and as delivery on past electoral promises.
But the BJP government faces accusations of selective inclusion. Critics say several Muslim-dominated areas have been bypassed while other colonies are approved for regularisation.
Congress has taken up the issue, particularly in the Mustafabad Assembly constituency. At a recent party meeting, senior Congress leader and former MLA Hasan Ahmed said that multiple colonies have been evacuated and others declared “unapproved.” He called the evictions unfair for residents who have lived there for years.
According to Hasan Ahmed, some Muslim-majority areas of Mustafabad have been ignored despite orders approving other colonies.
Concerns have been raised as demolitions would leave many families homeless and directly impact livelihoods.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.