This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3135, addressed to the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs on August 7, 2025, regarding the transfer of Gram Sabha land to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The question sought clarification on the use of Gram Sabha land in Delhi's urbanized villages, specifically if its use is restricted to the convenience and development of the village residents, and the government's awareness and policy regarding the Supreme Court's directives on Gram Sabha land usage across the country.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs responded that the DDA has launched the "Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan (DGA)" in December 2023, with the primary objective of developing necessary infrastructure in urbanized villages and new urban areas using Gram Sabha Area funds transferred to the DDA.
Regarding the Supreme Court's directives, the response acknowledges the Court's order in Civil Appeal No. 1132 of 2011 (Jagpal Singh Ors Vs State of Punjab), which instructed state governments to prepare schemes for evicting illegal occupants from Gram Sabha/Gram Panchayat land and restore it for the common use of villagers.
However, the response clarifies that Part IX of the Constitution of India relating to Panchayats is not applicable to the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and the majority of rural areas have been urbanized. It further explains that, according to the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, upon urbanization (defined by notification under Section 507 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957), the Gaon Sabha dissolves, and its properties vest in the Central Government. The Delhi Development Act, 1957, allows the Central Government to then place these lands at the disposal of the DDA for development purposes.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for policy and programs related to housing and urban development.
Delhi Development Authority (DDA): An organization responsible for planning, development, and construction in Delhi.
Gram Sabha: A village assembly, which has land transferred to DDA for development.
Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan (DGA): An initiative launched by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in December 2023 to develop infrastructure in urbanized villages.
Supreme Court of India: The highest judicial body of India, which has given directions regarding the use of Gram Sabha land.
State of Punjab: A state in India, party to the Supreme Court case regarding Gram Sabha land.
Delhi Land Reforms Act 1954: An act related to land reforms in Delhi and the dissolution of Gaon Sabhas.
Delhi Development Act, 1957: An act related to the development of land in Delhi by the DDA.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3135
TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 07, 2025
TRANSFERRING OF LAND TO DDA
NO. 3135. SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:
Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether any decision has been taken to use the Gram Sabha land
of Delhi’s urbanised villages which has been transferred to the
Delhi Development Authority (DDA) only for the convenience and
development of the people of the village and if so, the details
thereof.
(b) whether the Government is aware of the Supreme Court decision
which has held that land of Gram Sabha across the country should
be used only for the convenience and development of the people of
the village; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the policy being formulated by
the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has informed that the Hon’ble
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi launched the Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan
(DGA) in December 2023. The primary goal of this initiative is to develop
and create necessary infrastructure in the Urbanized Villages/New
Urban Areas by utilising the Gram Sabha Area funds transferred to the
DDA.
(b) & (c) The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No. 1132/2011 @
Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 3109/2011 in the matter of Jagpal
Singh & Ors Vs State of Punjab has inter-alia given directions to all the
State Governments in the country that they should prepare schemes for
eviction of illegal / unauthorised occupants of Gram Sabha / Gram
Panchayat / Poramboke / Shamlat land and these must be restored to the
Gram Sabha / Gram Panchayat for the common use of villagers of the
village.
…2/--2-
As regards, Delhi, the provision of Part IX of the Constitution of India
relating to Panchayats are not applicable to Government of National
Capital Territory of Delhi and majority of rural areas have now been
urbanized. In terms of the provision of the Delhi Land Reforms Act 1954,
if the whole of a Gaon Sabha area ceases to be included in rural areas
as defined in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, by virtue of
notification under Section 507 of that Act, the Gaon Sabha constituted
for that area shall thereupon stand dissolved and on such dissolution, all
properties, movable and immovable, vested in the Gaon Sabha
immediately before such dissolution, shall, with all rights of whatsoever
description used, enjoyed or possessed by such Gaon Sabha, vest in the
Central Government.
Further, in terms of the provision of the Delhi Development Act, 1957,
the Central Government, may by notification in the Official Gazette,
place at the disposal of DDA, all or any developed and undeveloped land
in Delhi vested in the Union for the purpose of development in
accordance with the provisions of the Delhi Development Act, 1957.
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