New Delhi | The Delhi government has introduced a bill in the Delhi Assembly seeking to advance the statutory cut-off date for recognising Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. The proposed amendment is aimed at bringing newer slum settlements within the ambit of government-led rehabilitation, relocation and redevelopment schemes.
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (Amendment) Bill, 2026, tabled by Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, proposes an amendment to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) Act, 2010. Under the existing provisions, a settlement can be recognised as a JJ basti if it has at least 50 households and fulfils prescribed conditions, including having existed on or before January 1, 2006.
If approved, the amendment would extend the eligibility window by 19 years, allowing settlements established up to January 1, 2025, to come within the statutory framework, subject to the existing threshold of at least 50 households.
Aligning DUSIB Law with 2026 Rehabilitation Policy
The proposed legislative change is intended to bring the DUSIB Act in line with the Delhi Slum and Jhuggi Jhopri Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026. According to the bill, the amendment would provide the legal foundation for identifying JJ bastis that are eligible for rehabilitation and relocation.
The 2026 policy has been framed to provide what the bill describes as a “contemporary and realistic framework” for the relocation and rehabilitation of eligible slum-dwellers. The amendment is therefore aimed at providing the statutory backing required for implementing the policy and facilitating the redevelopment of eligible settlements.
Potential Expansion of Eligible JJ Clusters
The change could significantly increase the number of JJ clusters eligible for government intervention. Delhi currently has 675 officially recognised JJ clusters, while officials estimate the actual number to be around 750, with several settlements having emerged after 2015.
These settlements are home to thousands of working-class residents, including drivers, domestic workers, vegetable vendors and auto-rickshaw operators, who form an important part of Delhi’s informal economy.
Under Sections 10, 11 and 12 of the DUSIB Act, the board is responsible for preparing resettlement schemes and providing basic civic amenities in recognised clusters. These include toilets, water supply, drainage and paved lanes.
Higher Financial Responsibility for Government
While the proposed amendment could expand access to rehabilitation and relocation programmes, it is also expected to increase the government’s financial obligations.
A wider statutory eligibility window would potentially require additional expenditure on rehabilitation, relocation, basic civic infrastructure and redevelopment of newly eligible settlements.
The bill, therefore, represents a significant policy and legislative step towards extending Delhi’s formal rehabilitation framework to newer JJ settlements while simultaneously increasing the scale of government intervention required for the city’s informal settlements. TOI
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