The Tribune: Chandigarh: Wednesday, December 20, 2017.
The state
government is still dilly-dallying on the issue of extension of “lal dora”
(area beyond which construction is not allowed) in villages. It had nearly five
months ago set up a ministerial committee to look into it.
The reply to
an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that the
state government is yet to take a call on the matter that affects lakhs of
people across the state.
The
Development and Panchayat Department, in reply to the RTI application filed by
Pinjore-based social activist Vijay Bansal, said the file had been sent to
senior officials for “necessary action”. He wanted to know the status of “lal
dora” extension issue.
In July, the
government had constituted a four-member committee under the leadership of
Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu. It was tasked with looking into extension of
“lal dora” and encroachment upon land belonging to urban local bodies and
panchayats.
During the
Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s government in 2014, the Cabinet had approved
categorisation of the area falling within “lal dora” and “phiri” (boundary) of
villages as “abadi deh” (extended ‘lal dora’). The move was to pave the way for
lakhs of villagers to construct buildings in this zone.
The Cabinet
decision, however, was never implemented in letter and in spirit with the fate
of constructions in the “abadi deh” area still uncertain.
Villagers for
long have been demanding extension of “lal dora”. The village population has
increased manifold in past decades, resulting in rise in demand for housing.
As
construction outside “lal dora” was considered illegal, villagers were unable
to construct buildings on their own land.
Even the
Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court had ruled that area falling
within “lal dora” and “phirni” of a village should be considered “abadi deh”.
What the
matter is:
- During Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s rule in 2014, the Cabinet had approved categorisation of the area falling within ‘lal dora’ and ‘phiri’ of villages as “abadi deh” (extended ‘lal dora’)
- The move was to pave the way for lakhs of villagers to construct buildings in this zone
- The Cabinet decision, however, was never implemented in letter and in spirit with the fate of constructions in the “abadi deh” area still uncertain
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