‘If govt not helping, RWAs can pay for layout plans’

After a tug of war between the three corporations and Delhi government over payment to three universities for preparing layout plans for regularised colonies, the Director of Local Bodies has finally told the corporations to write to residents' welfare organisations (RWA), asking them to pay the amount required. 

In a meeting with commissioners of the three corporations, the Director of Local Bodies asked them to write to RWAs immediately, asking them to submit the demand drafts in favour of IP University, Jamia Millia Islamia and School of Planning and Architecture. 

Director of Local Bodies has directed the three corporations to tell the Urban Development department about this decision so that the RWA concerned may be asked to comply with the directives. 

A corporation official said RWAs may be directed to hire architects on their own and submit their layout plans within a stipulated period. The commissioners were asked to send details of 15 RWAs to the office of the Director of Local Bodies. The three corporation have started a pilot project of making layouts in five of each corporations' regularised colonies. 

"We have been trying to get layout plans made by the institutes and will pay them after the government releases the amount promised. We have not asked people for money yet as we want to see the problems faced while implementing the regularisation process," a senior official said. 

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit refused to release funds for the layout plans. "Corporations fail to collect property tax. If they recover unpaid taxes in their jurisdiction, they will be able to fund layout plans," the CM said at the Idea Exchange in the office of The Indian Express. 

Accordingly, the three universities were identified to finalise the layout plans. In a meeting of the three corporation commissioners and the universities, it was decided to start work for preparation of layout plans. 

Each university will take up a pilot project consisting of about five colonies per corporation. The universities had agreed to take up the project and quoted rates Rs 1 lakh per acre for immediate commencement of the project.

with thanks : INDIAN EXPRESS : LINK :