Delhi to be slum free in next 4 yrs, promises Dikshit

New Delhi: The Delhi government is all set to allot around 10,000 low-cost houses to the poor and to make the national capital a slum-free city within the next three to four years, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Saturday.

"The vulnerable families would become proud owners of their houses with a respectable address in well-developed colonies," she announced at the Independence Day function at Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital.

Dikshit also asked people to make rational use of electricity and water to curtail consumption by 10 per cent as this would go a long way in ending power outages and drinking water shortages.

The Chief Minister said that her government has been vigorously taking steps to accelerate regularisation of unauthorised colonies and is duty-bound to bring a visible change in such colonies.

"We have been provided an opportunity to transform Delhi into a world-class city as we are concentrating our efforts in making the Commonwealth Games successful and memorable.

"The infrastructure which is being developed for the Games would continue to be a permanent part of the legacy of the city," she said.

"We shall be requiring better civic sense and dedicated volunteers to present our etiquette and courtesy during the Games. The school children and college students would be able to render a constructive contribution in this regard," Dikshit added.

While referring to the social sector, she pointed to the success of the "Laadli Scheme".

"The number of registrations of the girl child has overtaken registration of boys in the capital, which is a shining example of a change which was effected due to the Laadli Scheme," the Chief Minister maintained.

Dikshit, who hosted the flag for the 11th consecutive time, inspected the parade which comprised contingents from Delhi Police, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Delhi Fire Services, three wings of NCC and school children.

She presented a service medal for meritorious service to Deputy Inspector General of Prisons CR Garg for his outstanding contribution in bringing a positive changes in the Tihar jail complex.