• The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Minister for Urban Development, Mr. Kamal Nath on March 18, 2011. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on the same date and by the Rajya Sabha on March 22, 2011.

• The Master Plan for Delhi 2021 which was notified by the central government on February 7, 2007 provides for schemes for dealing with the informal sector, housing for the urban poor, and the regulation of hawkers. Since 2007, each year the central government has been extending the deadline for finalizing policies for achieving the targets envisaged by the Master Plan 2021. The Bill provides a further one year extension of the same. 

• The Bill states that the central government shall take all possible measures to finalize policies for dealing with encroachment or unauthorized development and make orderly arrangements by December 31, 2011. These steps include:

• making arrangements for relocation of Jhuggi-Jhompri clusters, regularization of unauthorized colonies, and regulation of urban street vendors; and

• development of policies for dealing with unauthorized construction of building and premises such as farmhouses, schools, dispensaries and religious institutions.

• The Bill provides protection to people from “punitive action” by any local authority against encroachment. All notices issued by local authorities against encroachment or unauthorized development are deemed to be suspended till December 31, 2011. 

• The protection from punitive action does not extend to (a) unauthorized constructions and encroachments which are not covered under policies approved by the central government and (b) lands required for specified public projects.