As the president of Ekta Rahiwasi Sewa Sangh (Reg.) I, Prakash Kumbhar want to inform you about families who were shifted to the RSDF Transit Camps 138/A and B (Mankhurd) in 2000. These families were shifted from different parts of Mumbai like Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan, Churchgate, Parel, Nagpada, Mahalaxmi, P Dmello Road, Ballard Pier, Sion, Kurla, Jogeshwari, Tilak Nagar, Chembur etc. This resettlement was carried out by SPARC. SPARC had promised us a permanent alternative home under various rehabilitation schemes like SPPL, PMGP, RAY, Mahatma Gandhi Path Kranti Yojna etc. but almost 13 long years have passed but the promised home is a still a dream for us. In these 13 years residents have had to face tremendous hardships and many have passed away waiting for this dream to come true. At first most of these residents were temporarily resettled in a Transit Camp in Maharashtra Nagar. Many faced extreme difficulty during the floods of 2006. Later most of these residents were shifted to the current Transit Camps. All this while we were falsely shown buildings in which they would be given an apartment. First they were shown the MHADA Colony (Ambedkar Nagar, Mankhurd), then SPPL buildings (Maharashtra Nagar), then Lallubhai Compound. SPARC had removed us from our prior homes under false promises and has now washed their hands off us. The concerned authorities (MMRDA, BMC, Housing Ministry) state the following as reasons as to why we have not yet been resettled i) we are not eligible as PAPs ii) we do not have the correct residential documents (which is not true) iii) we do not feature on any government records iv) the onus of rehabilitation is thrust on SPARC If this was the case why were were even given this temporary housing under false pretext? There were no basic amenities available like water, toilets and sanitation facilities. Life in the Transit Camp was terrible as we were forced to live in such harsh conditions where not even an animal would stay. Electricity charges were levied on each household. The bill amount was collected by SPARC. However, there is an outstanding amount of 18 crores from Reliance- the electricity provider (This can be validated with proof in the form of bills). Thus it questions what SPARC has done with the money collected so far. Drinking water was initially bought for Rs. 20 per gallon from slums like Sathe Nagar, Baiganwadi and Shivaji Nagar. This involved crossing a highway and having to walk atleast 2 - 3 kilometers to buy water. Many met with accidents in the process and children were forced to drop out of school to fill water during the day. Tankers were arranged by SPARC but this water was not for consumption. Due to economic difficulties, many were forced to drink this water - this lead to illness among many residents. Through consistent efforts of our society, water has been arranged through the BMC water pipeline since the last 8 months. This was the responsibility of SPARC but due to non cognizance of repeated requests, us local youth made arrangements for water. The area was never cleaned under the Dastak Vasti Yojana (which was under the contract of SPARC) The BMC provided the land (CTS 1 plot 138) to build five buildings for footpath dwellers from E Ward. However, only 1 building has been constructed and 78 people have been shifted so far. The 11 crore TDR generated from this has been sold to Kalpataru Builders. If the BMC constructed these buildings itself, it could have earned a heavy profit in terms of TDR. There were people living in this area in a transit camp for 23 years (a SPARC resettlement). These people have recently been shifted to BMC tenements in SPPL (Maharshtra Nagar) but have been told that once buildings are built on this very land they will be shifted back. In this scheme of things, where do the footpath dwellers from 13 areas who were promised housing stand? Why has the BMC given their tenements in SPPL and Natwar parek compoun borla govandi to Sparc? The current population of Transit Camp A is 2,221 (534 households) and that of Transit Camp B is 2,752 (586 households). There is continual resettlement in this Transit Camp. This Transit Camp was constructed by the MMRDA under the MUTP/MUIP but has been used by SPARC for PAPs of numerous projects as well as those evicted under no specific project(yet shifted by SPARC). What right does an NGO have to carry out such processes? and now on the replay of RTI MMRDA and SPARC Say they doesnt know the owner of the transist camp 138/A-B Most people who were shifted by SPARC were poor, uneducated slum dwellers. SPARC has taken advantage of this and showcased them through photographs in front of World Bank, Homeless International any many more European funders who use to fund them for the improvement of slum people in India. However, on the ground the people did not get any relief because these funds were misused for their own purposes. We all know that there is a always an end for every thing and in 2000, we Transit Camp residents united to form Ekta Rahiwasi Sewa Sang for the purpose of the future of our people. The slogan of ERSS is samaj ke akri vekti ke muk par muskan ane tak hum samaj karya karangey. We have on our on provided for the most basic amenities like water and clean, usable toilets. There has been no involvement of SPARC over the last 13 years. In January 2013, 70 families were given temporary allotment by SPARC in building 11C, Natwar Parekh Compound (Indian Oil Nagar). This building belongs to the BMC. Why have they been given temporary allotment after having spent so many years in Transit Camps? SPARC is also now promising others living in Transit Camps that they will be provided with houses in R&R Colonies on a rental basis (Rs. 500 per month) for 2 years after which it will supposedly become their own. Hence, we no longer wish that they be involved in any resettlement that might take place in the future. We wish that the concerned authorities get involved in the process and provide just rehabilitation under any justified scheme (SRA/RAY).or any self development. Thanks & Regards Prakash kumbhar
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 15:17:27 +0000
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