The Slum Areas (Improvement And Clearance) Act, 1956

{
    "id": 27170,
    "slug": "the-slum-areas-improvement-and-clearance-act-1956",
    "title": "The Slum Areas (Improvement And Clearance) Act, 1956",
    "short_title": "The Slum Areas (Improvement And Clearance) Act, 1956",
    "act_number": "Delhi Act 96 of 1956",
    "act_year": 1956,
    "act_type": "STATE",
    "location": "Delhi",
    "law_status": "unknown",
    "enactment_date": null,
    "description": "The Slum Areas (Improvement And Clearance) Act, 1956",
    "preamble": "",
    "section_label": "Section",
    "sections": [
        {
            "number": "1",
            "title": "CHAPTER I",
            "chapter": "CHAPTER I",
            "content": "Preliminary",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 0
        },
        {
            "number": "1",
            "title": "1. Short title, extent and commencement.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 1
        },
        {
            "number": "2",
            "title": "2. Definitions.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) \" Administrator\" means the Administrator of a Union territory;\n(b) \" building\" includes any structure or erection or any part of a building as so defined but does not include plant or machinery comprised in a building;\n(c) \" competent authority\" means such officer or authority as the Administrator may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint as the competent authority for the purposes of this Act;\n(d) \" erection\" in relation to a building includes extension, alternation or re-election;\n[(e) \" land\" includes benefits to arise out of land, and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth;\n(f) \" occupier\" includes-\n(a) any person who for the time being is paying or is liable to pay to the owner the rent or any portion of the rent of the land or building in respect of which such rent is paid or is payable;\n(b) an owner in occupation of, or otherwise using his land or building;\n(c) a rent- free tenant of any land or building\n(d) a licensee in occupation of any land or building; and\n(e) any person who is liable to pay to the owner damages for the use and occupation of any land or building;]\n(g) \" owner\" includes any person who is receiving or is entitled to receive. the rent of any building or land whether on his own account or on behalf of himself and others or as agent or trustee, or who would so receive the rent or be entitled to receive it if the building or land were let to a tenant;\n(h) prescribed\" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; and\n(i)\" slum clearance\" means the clearance of any slum area by the demolition and removal of buildings therefrom;\n[(j) \" work of improvement\" includes in relation to any building in a slum area the execution of any one or more of the following works, namely:-\n(i) necessary repairs:\n(ii) structural alterations\n(iii) provision of light points, water taps and bathing places;\n(iv) construction of drains, open or covered;\n(v) provision of latrines, including conversion of dry latrines into waterborne latrines\n(vi) provision of additional or improved fixtures or fittings;\n(vii) opening up or paving of courtyards\n(viii) removal of rubbish; and\n(ix) any other work including the demolition of any building or any part thereof which in the opinion of the competent authority is necessary for executing any of the works specified above.] CHAPTER II Slum Areas 3. Declaration of slum areas. -  (1) Where the competent authority upon report from any of its officers or other information in its possession is satisfied as respects any area that the buildings in that area-",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": true,
            "sort_order": 2
        },
        {
            "number": "4",
            "title": "CHAPTER II",
            "chapter": "CHAPTER II",
            "content": "Slum Areas",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 3
        },
        {
            "number": "3",
            "title": "3. Declaration of slum areas.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) are in any respect unfit for human habitation; or\n(b) are by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement and design of such buildings, narrowness or faulty arrangement of streets, lack of ventilation, light or sanitation facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health or morals, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare such area to be a slum area.\n(a) repair;\n(b) stability;\n(c) freedom from damp;\n(d) natural light and air;\n(e) water supply;\n(f) drainage and sanitary conveniences;\n(g) facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water; and the building shall be deemed to be unfit as aforesaid if and only if it is so far defective in one or more of the said matters that it is not reasonably suitable for occupation in that condition.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 4
        },
        {
            "number": "6",
            "title": "CHAPTER III",
            "chapter": "CHAPTER III",
            "content": "Slum Improvement",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 5
        },
        {
            "number": "4",
            "title": "4. Power to competent authority to require improvement of buildings unfit for human habitation.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 6
        },
        {
            "number": "5",
            "title": "5. Enforcement of notice requiring execution of works of improvement.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) is receiving the rent merely as agent or trustee for some other person; and (b) has not in his hands on behalf of that other person sufficient money to satisfy the whole demand of the authority, his liability shall be limited to the total amount of the money which he has in his hands as aforesaid. [***]\nand\n(b) has not in his hands on behalf of that other person sufficient money to satisfy the whole demand of the authority, his liability shall be limited to the total amount of the money which he has in his hands as aforesaid.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 7
        },
        {
            "number": "6",
            "title": "6. Expenses of maintenance of works of improvement, etc., to be recoverable from the occupiers of buildings.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "[6A. Restriction on building, etc., in slum areas.\n(a) either grant the permission subject to such terms and conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order; or\n(b) refuse to grant such permission: Provided that before making an order refusing such permission, the applicant shall. be given a reasonable opportunity to show cause why the permission should not be refused.\n(a) any works of improvement required to be executed by a notice under sub-section (1) of section 4 or in pursuance of an undertaking given under sub-section (2) of section 7; or\n(b) the erection of any building in any area in respect of which a slum clearance order has been made under section 10.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 8
        },
        {
            "number": "7",
            "title": "7. Power of competent authority to order demolition of buildings unfit for human habitation.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 9
        },
        {
            "number": "8",
            "title": "8. Procedure to be followed where demolition order has been made.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 10
        },
        {
            "number": "12",
            "title": "CHAPTER IV",
            "chapter": "CHAPTER IV",
            "content": "Slum Clearance And Re-Development",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 11
        },
        {
            "number": "9",
            "title": "9. Power to declare any slum area to be a clearance area.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 12
        },
        {
            "number": "10",
            "title": "10. Slum clearance order.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "[11. Power to competent authority to redevelop clearance area.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 13
        },
        {
            "number": "15",
            "title": "CHAPTER V",
            "chapter": "CHAPTER V",
            "content": "Acquisition Of Land",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 14
        },
        {
            "number": "12",
            "title": "12. Power to Central Government to acquire land.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 15
        },
        {
            "number": "13",
            "title": "13. Land acquired by Central Government to be made available to the competent authority.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 16
        },
        {
            "number": "14",
            "title": "14. Right to receive compensation.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 17
        },
        {
            "number": "15",
            "title": "15. Basis for determination of compensation.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 18
        },
        {
            "number": "16",
            "title": "16. Apportionment of compensation.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 19
        },
        {
            "number": "17",
            "title": "17. Payment of compensation of deposit of the same in court.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 20
        },
        {
            "number": "18",
            "title": "18. Powers of competent authority in relation to determination of compensation, etc.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;\n(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;\n(c) reception of evidence on affidavits;\n(d) requisitioning any public record from any court or office;\n(e) issuing commissions for examination of witnesses. CHAPTER VI Protection Of Tenants In Slum Areas From Eviction [19. Proceedings for eviction of tenants not to be taken without permission of the competent authority. - (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person shall, except with the previous permission in writing of the competent authority,-",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 21
        },
        {
            "number": "23",
            "title": "CHAPTER VI",
            "chapter": "CHAPTER VI",
            "content": "Protection Of Tenants In Slum Areas From Eviction\n[19. Proceedings for eviction of tenants not to be taken without permission of the competent authority.\n[(a) institute, after the commencement of the Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Amendment Act, 1964 , any suit or proceeding for obtaining any decree or order for the eviction of a tenant from any building or land in a slum area; or\n[(b) where any decree or order is obtained in any suit or proceeding instituted before such commencement for the eviction of a tenant from any building or land in such area, execute such decree or order.\n[(a) whether alternative accommodation within the means of the tenant would be available to him if he were evicted;\n[(b) whether the eviction is in the interest of improvement and clearance of the slum areas;\n[(c) such other factors, if any, as may be prescribed.\n[20. Appeals.\n[20A. Restoration of possession of premises vacated by a tenant.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 22
        },
        {
            "number": "20B",
            "title": "20B. Rent of buildings in slum areas.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) if there is a general law relating to the control of rents in force in the area in which the building is situated and applicable to that- building, the rent determined in accordance with the provisions of that law;\n(b) if there is no such law in force in such area, such rent as may be agreed upon between the owner and the tenant.\n(a) if any work of improvement has been executed in relation to the building, an annual rent of a sum equivalent to the aggregate of the following amounts, namely:-\n(i) the annual rent the tenant was paying immediately before he vacated the building for the purpose of execution of the work of improvement;\n(ii) six per cent. of the cost of the work of improvement; and\n(iii) six per cent of a sum equivalent to the compensation payable in respect of any land which may have been acquired for the purpose of effecting such improvement as if such land were acquired under section 12 on the date of the commencement of the work of improvement;\n(b) if the building has been re-erected, an annual rent of a sum equivalent to four per cent. of the aggregate cost of reconstruction of the building and the cost of the land on which the building is re-erected. Explanation. - For the purposes of this clause, the cost of the land shall be deemed to be a sum equivalent to the compensation payable in respect of the land if it were acquired under section 12 on the date of commencement of the reconstruction of the building.\n(a) where there is a general law relating to the control- of rents in force in the area in which the building is situate, the authority to whom applications may be made for fixing of rents of buildings situate in that area; and for the purpose of determining the rent under this section that authority may exercise all or any of the powers it has under the said general law; and the provisions of such law including provisions relating to appeals shall apply accordingly;\n(b) if there is no such law in force in that area, such authority as may be specified by rules made in this behalf by the Central Government and such rules may provide the procedure that will be followed by that authority in determining the rent and also for appeals against the decision of such authority.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 23
        },
        {
            "number": "21",
            "title": "21. Chapter not to apply to eviction of tenants from certain buildings.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 24
        },
        {
            "number": "26",
            "title": "CHAPTER VII",
            "chapter": "CHAPTER VII",
            "content": "Miscellaneous",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 25
        },
        {
            "number": "22",
            "title": "22. Powers of entry.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 26
        },
        {
            "number": "23",
            "title": "23. Powers of inspection.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) to inspect any drain, latrine, urinal, cesspool, pipe, sewer or channel in or on any building or land in a slum area, and in his discretion to cause the ground to be opened for the purpose of preventing or removing any nuisance arising from the drain, latrine, urinal, cesspool, pipe, sewer or channel, as the case may be;,\n(b) to examine works under construction in the slum area, to take levels or to remove, test, examine, replace or read any meter.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 27
        },
        {
            "number": "24",
            "title": "24. Power to enter land adjoining land where work is in progress.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 28
        },
        {
            "number": "25",
            "title": "25. Breaking into buildings.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) if he considers the opening thereof necessary for the purpose of such entry; and\n(b) if the owner or occupier is absent, or being present refuses to open such door, gate or barrier.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 29
        },
        {
            "number": "26",
            "title": "26. Entry to be made in the day time.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 30
        },
        {
            "number": "27",
            "title": "27. Owner' s consent ordinarily to be obtained.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 31
        },
        {
            "number": "28",
            "title": "28. Power of eviction to be exercised only by the competent authority.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 32
        },
        {
            "number": "29",
            "title": "29. Power to remove offensive or dangerous trades from slum areas.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 33
        },
        {
            "number": "30",
            "title": "30. Appeals.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 34
        },
        {
            "number": "31",
            "title": "31. Service of notices, etc.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) by giving or tendering the notice, order or direction, or by sending it by post to the person for whom it is intended; or\n(b) if, such person cannot be found, by affixing the notice, order or direction on some conspicuous part of his last known place of abode or business, or by giving or tendering the notice, order or direction to some adult male member or servant of his family or by causing it to be affixed on some conspicuous part of the building or land, if any, to which it relates.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 35
        },
        {
            "number": "32",
            "title": "32. Penalties.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) \" company\" means a body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and\n(b) \" director\" in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 36
        },
        {
            "number": "33",
            "title": "33. Order of demolition of buildings in certain cases.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 37
        },
        {
            "number": "34",
            "title": "34. Jurisdiction of courts.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 38
        },
        {
            "number": "35",
            "title": "35. Previous sanction of the competent authority or officer authorised by it for prosecution.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 39
        },
        {
            "number": "36",
            "title": "36. Power to delegate.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 40
        },
        {
            "number": "37",
            "title": "37. Protection of action taken in good faith.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "[37A. Bar of jurisdiction.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 41
        },
        {
            "number": "38",
            "title": "38. Competent authority, etc., to be public servants.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 42
        },
        {
            "number": "39",
            "title": "39. Act to overs ride other laws.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 43
        },
        {
            "number": "40",
            "title": "40. Power to make rules.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) the manner, of authentication of notices, orders and other instruments of the competent authority;\n(b) the preparation of plans for the redevelopment of any slum area, and matters to be included in such plans;\n(bb) [the form in which an application under sub-section (3) of section 6A shall be made and the information to be furnished and the fees to be levied in respect of such application;\n(bbb) the manner in which inquiries may be held under sections 15 and 19;]\n(c) the form and manner in which applications for permission under sub-section (2) of section 19 shall be made and the fees to be levied in respect of such applications;\n(d) the procedure to be followed [and the factors to be taken into consideration] by the competent authority before granting or refusing to grant permission under section 19:\n(e) the time within which an appeal may be preferred under [sub-section (7) of section 10 or section 20]\n(ee) [the time within which a declaration may be filed under sub-section (1) or an intimation may be sent under sub-section (4) of section 20A and the fees, if any, to be levied in respect of such declaration;\n(eee) the time within which plans, estimates and other particulars referred to in sub-section (2) of section 20A may be furnished;\n(eeee) the procedure to be followed by the competent authority for fixing the provisional rent under sub-section (2) of section 20A\n(eeeee) the manner in which the rent provisionally determined under section 20A shall be communicated to the tenants and owners;\n(eeeeee) the matters in respect of which provision may be made under sub-section (5) of section 20B\n(f) the officers and local authorities to whom powers may be delegated under section 36; and\n(g) any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 44
        }
    ],
    "metadata": {
        "Act ID": "dl060",
        "Act Number": "Delhi Act 96 of 1956",
        "Enactment Date": "",
        "Act Year": "1956",
        "Short Title": "The Slum Areas (Improvement And Clearance) Act, 1956",
        "Type": "UNION_TERRITORY",
        "Location": "Delhi"
    },
    "updated_at": "2026-09-29 21:55:22"
}