Lok Sabha Passes National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provision) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (image:twitter.com/HardeepSPuri)

As the Winter Session of the Parliament progresses, Lok Sabha on Tuesday afternoon passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023. On December 13, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, introduced the legislation urging to extend the validity of a central act so as to provide protection to unauthorised buildings including colonies and slum relocation.

As mentioned, the bill advances the central act”s validity to three years, from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, in order to provide continued protection from punitive action for various unauthorised developments in Delhi where necessary measures are yet to undertake. Under its purview of protection, slum dwellers, hawkers, unauthorised colonies, schools, agricultural godowns, religious and cultural institutions, are included.

While presenting the statements and objectives of the bill, the government reasoned that the complexities involved in handling unauthorised constructions demands an extension. Besides, it also indicates ongoing processes, including the finalisation of development control norms and the Master Plan for Delhi-2041, which encompasses measures for unauthorised developments, Live law reports.

However, this bill has not been free from criticism, where opposition MPs argued that disregarding deadlines is only a temporary solution than a policy-based resolution. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri while defending the Bill on Lok Sabha claimed that act”s validity needed to be extended or the vulnerable population of Delhi would be “liable for ceiling, demolition and displacement,” Live law reports.

The Bill was passed by the lower house of the parliament via voice vote with the absence of Opposition in the House. Parliament Winter Session will conclude on December 22.