#Delhi Government must come out with concrete policy for integrated development of Delhi’s 360 villages.

• VIJENDER GUPTA

The Leader of Opposition, Sh. Vijender Gupta today urged the Delhi Government to come out with a concrete policy for integrated development of the capital’s 360 villages and progress of lacs of villagers residing in these villages so that Delhi rural areas come at par with urban areas in terms of development.

Mr. Gupta said that nearly three lakhs acres of land in Delhi is under cultivation.  About 250 villages are primarily dependent on agriculture for their economy.  He demanded increase of Lal Dora limit.  He said that the Government should do away with the Section – 81 of Delhi Land Improvement Act.   The farmers in the villages having land holding of less than eight acres should be permitted to sell or purchase this piece of land.

Leader of Opposition noted with concern that the farmers are being given cheques of compensation with an out dated instrument.  A number of farmers got the cheques when the validity date had already expired.  The farmers are running from pillar to post to get them validated.  An immediate solution to this problem must be found out.

A number of farmers belonging to areas such as Narela, Kanjhawala, Alipur, Matilala, Kapashera, Kutubgarh etc. are finding a difficult to make both ends meet due to inordinate delay in payment of compensation amount.

Mr. Gupta demanded that the Government should withdraw cases against those villagers against whom cases were filed in various Courts for digging tubewells.  The landless farmers should be provided with pacca houses and loan from banks on concessional rates.  The senior citizens should be provided with pension of Rupees 3000/- per month.  The grazing land must be returned to farmers.