New Delhi: The decision to give ownership rights to 40 lakh people living in illegal colonies in Delhi was taken by the central government, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday as he briefed Cabinet policies. "The cabinet has made a landmark decision to grant ownership rights to 40 lakhs residing in Delhi's illegal colonies," said the Union Minister. 1797 illegal colonies are to be regularized, established before 1 January 2015. Earlier, the center sent the proposal for the same to the Delhi government, completing all the necessary formalities and returning the amended proposal to the centre which was approved.