Delhi needs better slum rehabilitation policy
Where relocation is genuinely unavoidable, no demolition should occur until a serviced home is ready within a reasonable livelihood catchment, with public transport, schools and health facilities functioning from day one
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Context
The Delhi Assembly recently passed a law changing the cut-off date for recognizing jhuggi-jhopri (slum) clusters from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025, potentially benefiting around four lakh families. This editorial argues that while updating the cut-off date is a positive step, a comprehensive slum rehabilitation policy must prioritize in-situ (on-site) development and view rehabilitation as holistic integration into urban life, aligning with decades of judicial pronouncements.
UPSC Perspectives
Social
Urbanization in India is characterized by the proliferation of informal settlements due to the lack of affordable housing and formal employment opportunities for rural migrants. The editorial emphasizes that slums are not just physical spaces but complex socio-economic networks. Therefore, the unit of rehabilitation must be the household's entire urban ecosystem, encompassing livelihood, education, healthcare, and community ties, rather than merely providing a physical flat. This perspective highlights the concept of inclusive urbanization, a key theme in GS Paper 1. When relocation occurs without considering these factors, it disrupts livelihoods, pushes vulnerable populations further into poverty, and often leads to the creation of new slums, defeating the purpose of rehabilitation programs.
Polity
The editorial invokes crucial judicial precedents that have shaped the discourse on slum eviction and the Right to Life under of the Indian Constitution. In the landmark Olga Tellis vs. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985) case, the Supreme Court recognized that the right to livelihood is an integral part of the right to life, arguing that evicting pavement dwellers without providing alternative accommodation deprives them of their livelihood. Similarly, the Delhi High Court's judgments in Sudama Singh (2010) and Ajay Maken (2019) cases shifted the narrative from viewing slum dwellers as mere 'encroachers' to rights-bearing citizens. These rulings established the necessity of meaningful engagement, prior surveys, and adequate rehabilitation before any demolition. This demonstrates the evolving jurisprudence on socio-economic rights and the role of the judiciary in checking arbitrary executive action, a core component of GS Paper 2.
Governance
Effective slum rehabilitation requires robust governance frameworks and policy execution. The editorial advocates for an 'in-situ first, relocation last' principle. In-situ slum rehabilitation (ISSR), a key component of the , involves redeveloping slums at their current locations using land as a resource, often through public-private partnerships. This approach minimizes disruption to the residents' established socio-economic networks. However, when relocation is unavoidable, the governance challenge lies in ensuring that the new sites are fully serviced with essential infrastructure—transport, schools, healthcare—before demolition occurs. This requires inter-departmental coordination and a shift from a purely housing-centric approach to a comprehensive urban planning and development strategy, crucial for addressing GS Paper 2 governance topics.