India, June 24 -- In one of the most significant policy decisions affecting Delhi's slum population in recent years, the Delhi government has extended the eligibility cut-off date for rehabilitation of residents living in JJ clusters to January 1, 2025, a move that is expected to pave the way for permanent housing for nearly 20 lakh people across the capital. The decision, taken by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), is likely to bring around 4-5 lakh families under the ambit of rehabilitation benefits and strengthen the implementation of the "Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan" policy. The decision was approved during the 36th Board Meeting of DUSIB chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma and senior officials of concerned departments attended the meeting. Also Read - ED raids Delhi nightclub owner, others in 2021 Mundra port drugs seizure case According to the government, residents of all eligible slum clusters established in Delhi up to January 1, 2025, will now be entitled to rehabilitation benefits. The decision follows a recent high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and is in accordance with provisions of the Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy 2026. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the move as a landmark step towards ensuring permanent housing and better living conditions for the urban poor. She said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah, unprecedented efforts have been made across the country to provide the poor with dignified living conditions, better housing and essential amenities." Also Read - Govt approves health cover for construction workers, families She added that in Delhi, rehabilitation efforts are being carried out in line with the spirit of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas" and the commitment of "Har Gareeb Ko Pakka Ghar." "The decision is not merely about providing houses but is an important step towards ensuring a safe, dignified and better life for lakhs of families," Gupta said. The Chief Minister said providing every citizen with dignified living conditions and permanent housing remains one of the government's highest priorities. She noted that a large number of families had been unable to avail rehabilitation benefits due to the earlier eligibility cut-off date. Also Read - Govt cracks down upon power theft "With the revision of the cut-off date, a much larger number of eligible families will now be able to benefit from the scheme," she said. According to the government, eligible families will be allotted multi-storey flats equipped with essential civic amenities. Gupta said efforts would be made to rehabilitate beneficiaries within or close to their existing settlements in keeping with the commitment of "Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan." The Chief Minister further said that the government's role would not be limited to providing housing alone. "All necessary social and civic infrastructure required for a better quality of life will also be ensured in the new rehabilitation colonies," she said. Also Read - Delhi orders structural audit of 44 flyovers The proposed rehabilitation colonies will include Anganwadi centres, schools, health centres, children's playgrounds and other basic public facilities. The government also said that the new policy takes into account family expansion and changing living arrangements within slum settlements. Officials said a provision is being considered under which members of the same family residing in separate units on different floors of a slum structure may also be brought under the rehabilitation framework, subject to payment of prescribed additional charges. Highlighting the Centre-State coordination behind the initiative, Gupta said, "The coordinated efforts of the Central Government and the Delhi Government will bring about far-reaching positive changes in the lives of slum residents." She added that rehabilitation work would be carried out in mission mode through the public-private partnership (PPP) model to ensure that every eligible family receives safe, dignified and improved housing.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.