Parliament passes Bill extending protection to unauthorized colonies in Delhi

The Parliament on Tuesday approved the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023, extending protection for unauthorized colonies in the national capital from punitive actions for the next three years.

Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri introduced the legislation on December 13, aiming to prolong the validity of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026.

In defense of the bill in the lower house, the housing affairs minister stressed the need to prevent the vulnerable population of Delhi from experiencing “sealing, demolition, and displacement” by extending the act’s validity for an additional three years.

Puri cited the complexities involved in addressing unauthorized constructions, pointing to ongoing processes such as the finalization of development norms for unauthorized colonies and the Master Plan for Delhi-2041.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011, initially valid until December 31, 2014, has undergone multiple extensions. The most recent amendment in 2021 extended it until December 31, 2023. With the latest approval from Parliament, its validity is further extended until December 31, 2026.