New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): Parliament Tuesday passed a bill to give extension to unathorised colonies in Delhi, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it on the last day of the winter session.

The Lok Sabha had passed the bill earlier during the session.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011, seeks to maintain the status quo with respect to encroachment or unauthorized development or construction from various dates.

Protection has also been provided against punitive action by any local authority.

The bill had been first introduced by the UPA government to ensure that no action would be taken till Dec 31, 2014 with respect to encroachment or unauthorized developments.

The current bill extends this deadline to Dec 31, 2017.

While the upper house witnessed a series of protests over last few days blocking the proceedings of the house, the bill was taken on the last day, as opposition members said it concerned "the poor".

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said: "This is about the poor people who come to Delhi. The house has not been functioning; we were not ready to change that but... this is about poor".