Stop Slum Evictions: Union Minister to CM, Maharashtra

Stop Slum Evictions: Union Minister to CM, Maharashtra

A large delegation of 200 slum dwellers and SRA project affected from Mumbai had reached the gates of the Ministry for Urban Housing and Poverty Alleviation on the evening of 18^th, March. Even thought it was night time, Shri Ajay Maken, the Minister had an elaborate dialogue and looked into various documents with the people representing different slums and activists, including Medha Patkar.

The dialogue led to a consensus with the Ministries’ view point and the policy parameters which the Minister himself put forth. It became obvious that the Union Minister himself cannot support the brutal evictions that are on in Mumbai and rather would promote and assist the self-development schemes such as Rajiv Awaas Yojana (RAY), provided the CM of Maharashtra and the Government takes it seriously.  The Ministry, we found, had already noted the slow progress on RAY in Mumbai, while the complaints with regard to SRA and eviction of slums had already reached him.

The Minister has written a letter to the CM, Maharashtra, today, which we welcome and now request and expect the state government and the CM to take initiative for an urgent dialogue with the slum dwellers and our organization and stop forcible eviction immediately, whether in the name of encroachment removal or slum rehabilitation.

It is today, when one community in Golibar, is going to be seized by the police and brutal demolition of 42 houses is planned and threatened, we request you to kindly react to this and write to the CM and Housing Minister, Maharashtra immediately about your views, demanding a halt to all forcible evictions and a conclusive dialogue with the people. Our letter to the CM, Maharashtra and the letter of the Union Minister, Shri Ajay Maken are enclosed.

With regards,

Santosh Thorat                       Shriram                       Jameelbhai     Madhuri Shivkar

Seela Mahapatra                    Suniti S.R                   Sumit Wajale                         Meera            

Ph: 9892727063     |      09179148973      |   09423571784       | 020-24251404

           

Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, Mantrayala, Mumbai Ph: 022-23634950 E-mail: chiefminister@maharashtra.gov.in , ashish.valsa@gmail.com

Shri Debashish Chakrabarty, Principal Secretary, Housing, Government of Maharashtra, Mantrayala, Mumbai Ph: 022-22023036 E-mail: psec.housing@maharashtra.gov.in

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