Rahul Gandhi hands over freehold rights in 45 resettlement colonies in Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday gave away the certificates conferring freehold rights to residents of 45 resettlement colonies in Delhi, which were developed almost 50 years ago. Around seven lakh families will be benefited by the government decision.

While praising the Sheila Dixit government in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said “Nation knows about Delhi's infrastructure, this has been done by Congress, without Congress, this wouldn't have happened." “But this ongoing development will not be complete, till its benefits reach the people. Unless there is improvement in the living standards of the poor people, we cannot claim that the development is complete and that is what, we, the Congress Government has been trying to do,” added the Congress MP.

"Whole country knows Congress government has built many flyovers, better roads and also the metro system in Delhi.. .People in the villages aspire to one day work and live in Delhi, we want to fulfil those dreams," said Rahul Gandhi amid thunderous applause from the audience.

“If these flyovers are made, who has made them? If these roads are built, who has constructed them? Those living in the jhuggi jhopdi colonies (shanty towns) and resettlement colonies have done it, they have invested their blood and sweat in this” said Rahul Gandhi while striking an emotional chord with the gathering and the crowd greeted his statement with loud applauds.

Rahul Gandhi also explained the benefits of Congress-led UPA government’s historic Food Security Bill and slammed those who oppose it. "Opposition says we are wasting money by going in for Food Security, but I say giving food to people isn't wasting money," asserted the Congress leader. "Earlier people talked about development but we now talk about rights...we have raised the issue of people's right to get food," he added. “People now talk about corruption. It was the Congress which brought in the important legislation – RTI- which empowers citizens to gather any information regarding the government functioning. Similarly, Congress implemented Right to job through MNREGA” said Rahul Gandhi and added “We want to ensure the rights of the people. We want the poor in the country become self reliant.”  

Rahul Gandhi also said that when foreigners visit us they are amazed by the schemes implemented by the Congress Government. “They're surprised to see right to employment & food," said the Congress Vice President. Rahul Gandhi then focussed the people to whom he awarded the ownership rights and said “We understand your contribution in developing Delhi and we value your efforts. I want to assure you that, whatever may happen, we will never ever forget you”.
The resettlement colonies are situated in different parts of the city including Sriniwaspuri, Wazirpur, Satya Niketan, Janakpuri, Pankha Road and Madangir.  Union Urban Development Ministry had given its approval for granting freehold rights to the residents of the resettlement colonies. These colonies were developed in 1970s and people putting up there have been finding it difficult to effect transfer of title as free hold rights were not offered yet. There are 45 resettlement colonies in the city, which are home to lakhs of people. Last year Congress president Sonia Gandhi had issued provisional certificates of regularisation to unauthorised colonies.