DDA scheme: Congress accuses NDA government of earmarking flats for economically weaker section

NEW DELHI: On a day DDA launched a major housing scheme offering over 25,000 flats, Congress today accused the NDA government of earmarking flats which were constructed for people belonging to EWS category.

Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely said the flats constructed for the economically weaker section (EWS) are also being offered for commercial purposes.

"The Central government is taking decisions which are anti-poor. We will not tolerate this. If you use DDA flats, allocated to EWS people, for commercial purpose then nothing can be more condemnable than this," Lovely told reporters.

In a joint press conference, Lovely, former MP Mahabal Mishra and CLP leader Haroon Yusuf alleged that the decision taken by the previous UPA government to allocate 2,400 flats to EWS category slum dwellers has been reverted by the NDA dispensation.

They claimed that these flats are now being offered in the new housing scheme under General category announced today by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

DDA, which functions under Union Urban Development Ministry, today announced a housing scheme under which 25,000 flats are being offered across various categories.

"DPCC President has already met the LG and informed him about the issue. If EWS category people are not given flats which they have been assured of earlier, then we will hold a protest next week," Mishra said.

The Congress leaders said DDA must withdraw the flats from the new Housing Scheme-2014 and ensure that these are handed over to those belonging to EWS.

"It is the primary responsibility of the DDA to provide housing to all sections of the society, especially the economically weaker ones," Lovely said.