BMC sticks to 1995 cut-off for shanties, netas fret and fume

The civic body on Wednesday clarified that it would rehabilitate or regularise only those shanties that came up before 1995, and not up to 2000.

This issue came up during a discussion in the standing committee on the removal or shifting of slums along the Tansa pipeline in N (Ghatkopar) and M-West (Chembur) wards.

The removal or shifting of slums along the pipeline, which runs through the eastern suburbs, was ordered by the HC in 2009. But this did not go down well with various parties as it would upset the calculations of elected representatives and others planning to contest the next elections.

At that time, there was a feeling that dwellers in shanties which existed up to 2000 would be rehabilitated. However, a state government resolution in January 2012 stated that only dwellers of slums before 1995 would be rehabilitated.

Standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale said, “After the HC order, occupants of shanties which came up until 2000, were shifted from S (Bhandup, Vikhroli) and G-North (Dadar, Mahim) wards to other places. Now, dwellers of shanties that came up between 1995 and 2000 won’t be considered for rehabilitation.”

At the meeting on Wednesday, some opposition party members sought revision of the cut-off to 2000. Members of the Congress and NCP also insisted that proper amenities be provided at the rehabilitation sites before the dwellers are shifted.

Shewale explained that Mahul, one of the rehabilitation sites, has all the basic amenities. “The only thing is that it is located further away, therefore the criticism. But it appears that with elections round the corner this is an effort to protect the vote banks,” he said.

The civic body has decided to clear the slums along the pipeline in N and M/West wards by the end of this month.

There were some members from both the ruling and opposition parties who were upset that slum dwellers from other wards were being shifted to areas within their constituencies. Ramesh Korgaonkar of the Shiv Sena pointed out that slum dwellers from T (Mulund) ward had been rehabilitated in Bhandup, the area he represents.