Author: Pallavi Singh
Publication: The Mumbai Newsline
Dated: April 12, 2006
Introduction: As Mithi River Development and
Protection Authority readies to demolish illegal structures along river, concerned
MLAs meet CM, demand review of rehab policy
[Note from the Hindu Vivek Kendra: There is
a high degree of probability that the illegal settlements are by those who
have been brought over from Bangaldesh for the purpose of creating a vote
bank. For the politicians concerned, the threat to national security is of
no concern. And for the secularists, highlighting such issues would be going
against their principles of perverted secularism.]
On Wednesday, the Mithi River Development
and Protection Authority (MRDPA), the agency implementing the river's clean-up,
is all set to begin its most-daunting task: Demolishing thousands of illegal
structures on either side of the river.
''The Collector's office has listed 3,600
illegal structures, both industrial and residential, along the 17-km stretch.
We will carry out demolitions according to this list,'' said Project Director
Vikas Tondwalkar.
Tondwalkar may not know it, but the tough
task on his hands just got tougher. Early this month, several Congress legislators
met Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to ask for a review of the state's rehabilitation
policy.
''According to the current Government Resolution,
the Collector's office will rehabilitate all those living there before 2000,''
said Kurla legislator Naseem Khan-most of the illegal structures tipped to
be razed are concentrated here.
''Many who moved into pre-existing structures
(those constructed before 2000) after that won't be compensated. This is a
technical hitch that must be looked into,'' he added. In September 2005, Khan's
intervention forced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to halt inspection
work at Kurla.
He had then demanded that the units that were
not on the river's banks not be closed. This time, though, with thousands
likely to fall in that category, the stakes are higher. That's why, it's not
just Khan who has asked for a relaxation in policy rules.
Congress legislators Kalidas Kolambkar, Kripashankar
Singh, Ashok Jadhav and Baldev Khosa, among others, have broached the issue
with Deshmukh.
''The chief minister has assured us that structures
would be protected under the resettlement policy,'' said Singh, who represents
Vakola. ''He promised that the government will soon bring a Bill on the issue.''
Meanwhile, contrary to the affidavit filed
by the MRDPA before the Bombay High Court in February, the number of structures
to be demolished before May 31 has surreptitiously dwindled.
''We'll destroy about 1,600 to 1,700 structures
in the first phase. There'll be simultaneous resettlement too,'' said Tondwalkar.
