New Delhi: Former MP and BJP candidate from the New Delhi Assembly seat, Parvesh Verma, has accused the Kejriwal-led Delhi government of betraying the city’s poor. Verma highlighted that in 2013, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) collected significant sums of money from underprivileged families, promising them permanent homes. Families paid amounts ranging from ₹70,000 to ₹1,50,000, yet 12 years later, they are still waiting for their promised houses.
Verma reminded the media that the Sheila Dikshit-led government had initiated a scheme to provide housing for slum dwellers, with homes built in areas like Savda Ghevra and Baprola. However, when Kejriwal came to power, the allocation of these homes came to a halt. Instead of addressing the housing needs of the poor, the Kejriwal government allegedly ignored their plight and misused public funds.
According to Verma, over 8,000 homes in Delhi are fully constructed and ready for allocation but remain unassigned. He criticized the Kejriwal government for prioritizing luxurious renovations of official residences, including constructing opulent bungalows for the Chief Minister, over addressing the housing crisis faced by the poor.
Verma also condemned the government for its harsh actions, pointing out that in the past year, numerous slums in areas like Silver Oak Park, Ramesh Nagar, and Karol Bagh were demolished, leaving many families homeless. Despite repeated appeals from affected families, the government has allegedly failed to provide any relief or assistance.
Drawing a comparison, Verma praised the Modi government’s achievements under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which has provided homes to millions of underprivileged families across India. He cited the recent allocation of 1,675 homes in Ashok Vihar by PM Modi as a testament to the central government’s commitment to the poor.
Demanding immediate action, Verma urged the Delhi government to allocate the ready homes to the affected families and provide compensation for their suffering. He stated, “While Kejriwal built a palace for himself, Delhi’s poor were left to fend for themselves. The slum dwellers of Delhi demand accountability, justice, and the homes they were promised.”