Ghar Bachao - Ghar Banao Andolan succeeds in Mumbai

From Media Vigil On the day 9th day of Medha Patkar's indefinite fast on 27 May Shri Prithviraj Chavan, CM of Mahrashtra accepted the demands of the slum dwellers and issued two overnment Resolutions and one order related to the five major demands. On 20th May, Medha Patkar and nearly 50 people from other bastis (slums) of Mumbai were on their way to the Golibar area. They had a letter written to Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan pointing out constant violation of the laws and open support to the Shivalik Ventures. Medha Patkar and others started indefinite hunger strike. There was a police lathi charge on 19th May by Maharashtra Police to protect the interest of the real-estate agents. Sunita Gurav suffered a grave head injury and Sharadabai Vasta, 80 years old mentally ill lady was ruthlessly dragged out of her house. These slum dwellers and their colonies settled there for last 70-100 years and were not encroachment slums. It is evident that section 3 (K) of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971 allows 'developers' (builders) to bypass the 70 per cent consent norm in the initial stages of development. Under the law for any government to develop a slum, it must take the consent from its dwellers. 3K rule in slum act bars the privilege. In Maharashtra, it is a long back rule which is not used till recently is utilized to provide builders slum area to 'develop'. This rule empowers government to give right to 'develop' the slum area on first come first basis to any developer and for this it has authority to give instructions to Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). The government can also direct the SRA to hand over the slum land for redevelopment to a builder without inviting tenders under the 3 K clause. It is noteworthy that using this 3 K clause, Maharashtra government gifted more than 500 acre of slum land to 6 'Developers' in the last 2 years. Golibar residents have revealed the dubious nature of the 3 K Clause. Instead of protecting them, state govt has been making efforts to evict them. It has emerged that Slum Rehabilitation Scheme is being used for land grabbing by builders/'developers'. There is a compelling logic for scrapping of 3 K clause. Prithviraj Chavan's insensitivity and callousness has compelled the slum dwellers and Medha Patkar to undertake painful route of indefinite hunger strike. It is clear by now that Shivalik Ventures, the builder has changed its name many times (e.g. SVI Realties, Shivalik Ventures, Shi. Ventures Private Ltd., Lifestyle Realty) and has committed serious criminal offences. The letter of the Directorate of Income Tax also exposes that UNITECH has made 50 percent of the investment. It was done from the collection of advances through Neera Radia. There is a case for Joint Parliamentary Committee making inquiry into the 2 G spectrum scam to examine the role of Shivalik Ventures as well. Gopal Krishna reported, On late May 26 night Shri Prithviraj Chavan, CM Maharashtra called Medha Patkar. They both talked on the issues which had been discussed with Ratnakar Gaikwad, Chief Secretary and then Sachin Ahir, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. Meanwhile, as Medha's fast entered 8th day she was feeling weaker than before, heart palpitation continued and was developing burning sensations after vomiting. She was unable to walk on her own and needed constant support. Syed Zuber who was on the 4th day of hunger strike developed signs of weakness but remained in high spirit. On May 26 night in a meeting of the activists, Ganesh Krupa Hosuing Society decided not to light fire in their kitchens, and also the community kitchen shut down from the 27th onwards. It was also decided that there will be simultaneous dharnas in the city in different bastis. The demands that have been accepted include: 1. Decision regarding declaration of settlements as slum under section 4 of Maharashtra Slum Area Act and to be undertaken for improvement as per section 5. 2. A joint meeting involving representatives of Government of Maharashtra, Government of India & Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao to discuss implementation of Rajiv Awas Yojana in Mumbai. 3. Activation of the existing High Powered Committee, chaired by Chief Secretary, appointed by Honourable HC in 2005 meant for reviewing the policies & recommend or suggest new policies related to slum housing to government of Maharashtra. 4. A four-member committee chaired by Justice (Retd) H Suresh and Simpreet Singh, Sh. Satish Gawai & K P Bakshi as members to investigate and make recommendations related to Ganesh Krupa, Golibar Society by 15th June to Government of Maharashtra. 5. A 5-member committee chaired by Justice (Retd) H Suresh and Sh Sudhakar Suradharkar (EX IPS Officer) Simpreet Singh, Sh. S S Zende & Swadhin Kshatriya as members to investigate into 15 SRA & 3K cases of fraud and forgery, including Shivalik Ventures Project, and submit a report by 30thSeptember to government of Maharashtra. Medha Patkar broke her fast on May 28, by accepting lemon juice from Akanksha Bai, 80 year old Ganesh Krupa Housing Society Resident who was in jail for resisting demolition. She said, "it is a victory of the lakhs of people fighting for their right to live in the financial capital of India with dignity. The real fight is about the right over land of the poor who make this city what it is. Today the land is being given or grabbed by the builders and influential people like Mukesh Ambani who has built his 27 storey building on the land of Waqf Board. 33,000 Acre land which was either encroached or free, is nowavailable after Land Ceiling Act has been revoked. After 30th September when the work of these Committees would be over, we will launch Land Haqq Satyagraha in Mumbai to capture government land for the poor people of the city. Our CM Prithviraj Chauhan has a bigger battle ahead and against a powerful lobby, if he intends to fight it we are with him, or else we are on the path of struggle and

19 June, 2013 Wednesday

Ghar Bachao - Ghar Banao Andolan succeeds in Mumbai