MUMBAI, Sept 4: Union urban development minister Ram Jethmalani on Friday announced that an ordinance on repeal of the Urban Land (Ceilings & Regulations) Act (Ulcra) 1976 will be issued by the end of September.He exhorted the opinion making bodies to pass resolutions supporting the repeal of the Ulcra as done by the economic wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.Jethmalani in his hard hitting speech on "implications of Ulcra Repeal Bill 1998," here organised by the Indian Merchant's Chamber lashed out at the opponents of the Bill.
Jethmalani said that the option of ordinancce would be exercised as Parliament was not in session and the Bill has been referred to the standing committee of his department.
"I will tell the Cabinet the urgency for issuing an ordinance and I don't see any problem in this." he added.
He strongly justified the repeal of Ulcra adding that though the purpose of the Act was `noble', it has been fully defeated during itsimplementation.He said that of 345 hectares of land in the Union territory of Delhi, only 1.9 hectares was in possession of the government. However, no construction activity has been carried out.
Jethmalani said that the Ulcra abolition was a must as it would make available land to fulfil the BJP-led government's election promise of providing two million houses comprising 7.5 lakh by urban development and 12.5 lakh by rural development.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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