Context: The Lok Sabha passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2021 that seeks to regularise unauthorised colonies that existed in the National Capital Territory of Delhi as of June 1, 2014, and had seen development up to 50% as of January 1, 2015.

Background:

• In 1947, 17% of India’s total population lived in urban areas, Delhi’s population at that time was eight lakh.
• After Partition and relocation, it went up to 22 lakh, and it is expected that during the Census of 2021, the population will be close to two crore.

2011 Act:

• relocating slum dwellers and Jhuggi-Jhompri clusters in accordance with the provisions of the Delhi Shelter Improvement Board Act, 2010 and the Master Plan for Delhi, 2021,
• regularising unauthorised colonies, village abadi areas (and their extensions),
• creating a policy or plan for farm houses constructed beyond permissible building limits, and for all other areas of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and
• not taking any punitive action and minimising inconvenience to the people of Delhi in case of any demolition or sealing of structures under the Master Plan for Delhi.

Extension of validity:  The 2011 Act was valid till December 31, 2020.  The Bill seeks to extend this deadline to December 31, 2023. 

Regularisation of Unauthorised Colonies: 

• The 2011 Act also provided for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies
  • which existed as on March 31, 2002, and
  • where construction took place till June 1, 2014.
• The Bill amends this to provide that unauthorised colonies will be identified for regularisation as per the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Act, 2019, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019.
• Thus, the unauthorised colonies:
  • which existed as on June 1, 2014, and
  • having 50% development as on January 1, 2015, will be eligible for regularisation.

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/lok-sabha-gives-approval-for-nct-bill/article34041515.ece

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