New Delhi In a bind over the fate of the Tahirpur Leprosy Complex, “abused” due to wide scale encroachments and commercialisation, the Delhi Government has framed a new policy, claiming the existing one “contributes to the spread of disease” and menace of beggary in the city.
Submitting the new policy before a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the government has also accepted that the present system of allotting houses to leprosy patients was “encouraging people from all over the country to concentrate in Delhi”.
The affidavit, filed by counsel Ruchi Sindhwani, stated that a decision had been taken not to build anymore dwelling for leprosy patients.
“No new houses shall be constructed to accommodate leprosy affected persons since leprosy is now a curable disease and the present system of house allotment is encouraging such patients from across to country to concentrate in Delhi. The present policy contributes to the spread of disease and a consequential increase in beggary in Delhi,” the government’s affidavit read.
Under an order of the court to free the complex from encroachments and unauthorised commercial units, the government has further stated that a survey of units not connected with the cure of the disease had been conducted and actions will be taken against the errant units by a district task force.
The affidavit disclosed that while there were 1,077 government houses inside the complex, number of illegal hutments was as high as 773.
Moreover, out of the 1,077 legal dwelling units, only 194 had legitimate occupants and hence, a fresh inspection had to be carried out with respect to the remaining 883 houses in order to issue fresh allotment letters on the basis of the requisite medical certificates. Those not having it, will be given six six months to procure, as per the affidavit.
“Those who fail to produce such certificates shall be relocated according to policy of government,” it stated, adding healthy dependents of the patients will be allowed to stay for one generation and they will then also be relocated. Relying on a survey by the Deputy Commissioner (North-East), the affidavit stated that the occupants of 773 illegal hutments will also be relocated.
While social welfare department has been designated as the nodal agency to manage the affairs of the complex, the affidavit read that there was a proposal to demarcate the land and title ownerships of the residents. The demarcation process, however, has got reportedly stuck because of non-cooperation by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
A committee involving representatives from the DDA, MCD, PWD and department of social welfare had been constituted to sort out the issue of ownership of the land and a letter had also been sent to the DDA Vice-Chairman to ensure co-operation, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit further read that as per the data collected in 1993, 1,300 leprosy patients were getting Rs 1,800 as monthly pension. A proposal however could be sent to Dellhi Chief Minister to extend the relief to the patients as per their number on April 1, 2001.
The court recently took the affidavit on record and decided to dispose of the PIL after recording that the government would implement the new policy to the satisfaction of the court and would root out encroachments and illegal commercialisation.
Submitting the new policy before a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the government has also accepted that the present system of allotting houses to leprosy patients was “encouraging people from all over the country to concentrate in Delhi”.
The affidavit, filed by counsel Ruchi Sindhwani, stated that a decision had been taken not to build anymore dwelling for leprosy patients.
“No new houses shall be constructed to accommodate leprosy affected persons since leprosy is now a curable disease and the present system of house allotment is encouraging such patients from across to country to concentrate in Delhi. The present policy contributes to the spread of disease and a consequential increase in beggary in Delhi,” the government’s affidavit read.
Under an order of the court to free the complex from encroachments and unauthorised commercial units, the government has further stated that a survey of units not connected with the cure of the disease had been conducted and actions will be taken against the errant units by a district task force.
The affidavit disclosed that while there were 1,077 government houses inside the complex, number of illegal hutments was as high as 773.
Moreover, out of the 1,077 legal dwelling units, only 194 had legitimate occupants and hence, a fresh inspection had to be carried out with respect to the remaining 883 houses in order to issue fresh allotment letters on the basis of the requisite medical certificates. Those not having it, will be given six six months to procure, as per the affidavit.
“Those who fail to produce such certificates shall be relocated according to policy of government,” it stated, adding healthy dependents of the patients will be allowed to stay for one generation and they will then also be relocated. Relying on a survey by the Deputy Commissioner (North-East), the affidavit stated that the occupants of 773 illegal hutments will also be relocated.
While social welfare department has been designated as the nodal agency to manage the affairs of the complex, the affidavit read that there was a proposal to demarcate the land and title ownerships of the residents. The demarcation process, however, has got reportedly stuck because of non-cooperation by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
A committee involving representatives from the DDA, MCD, PWD and department of social welfare had been constituted to sort out the issue of ownership of the land and a letter had also been sent to the DDA Vice-Chairman to ensure co-operation, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit further read that as per the data collected in 1993, 1,300 leprosy patients were getting Rs 1,800 as monthly pension. A proposal however could be sent to Dellhi Chief Minister to extend the relief to the patients as per their number on April 1, 2001.
The court recently took the affidavit on record and decided to dispose of the PIL after recording that the government would implement the new policy to the satisfaction of the court and would root out encroachments and illegal commercialisation.
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