New Delhi, Mar 8 (IANS): The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to form a committee to settle ownership rights of those living in hundreds of unauthorised colonies of the national capital.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for Constitution of a committee to recommend the process for conferring/recognizing ownership or transfer/mortgage rights to the residents of Unauthorized Colonies (UCs) in Delhi," the government said in a release.

The members of the committee, to be chaired by the Lt Governor, will include Vice Chairman DDA, Chief Secretary Delhi goverment, the commissioners of municipalities of East, North and South Delhi, Former Director of Delhi Fire Services, a professor from School of Planning and Architecture, and Additional Secretary from the Union Housing and Urban Development Ministry, among a few more.

With the general election round the corner, the decision may prove to be a major trump card for the incumbent BJP-led Union government, which may try to tap the support of those inhabiting in these colonies for electoral gains.

The colonies, around 1,200, mostly house migrants belonging to low-income groups.