Summary:
With regard to encroachments on 1.2 acre in Sector 40 having about 750 jhuggis, the GLADA CA said Rs 13.31 crore had been deposited with the MC for shifting and rehabilitation of the jhuggi dwellers at an alternative place under the scheme, Basic Services for the Urban Poor (BUSP). However, taking a divergent stand, the MC has washed its hands off the onus for removal of these encroachments while maintaining that the responsibility lied upon GLADA for clearing these encroachments. Moreover, the unlawful occupants at these sites possess ration cards and electricity bills of the period prior to the time when these areas were handed over to MC. The Municipal Commissioner added that since the encroachments existed at the time when the areas were handed over to the MC and further that the building control remaining with GLADA, it was the responsibility of GLADA to remove encroachments of permanent nature located away from the roadside and include pucca structures (shops and houses). The MC has, however, made an offer that if found desirable, officials of the two bodies (MC and GLADA) could sit together and find an amicable way out to deal with the issue..