Maharashtra Govt Arbitrarily Changes Order Slum Rehabilitation Scams: NAPM to challenge proposed withdrawal of inquiry committees

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The Maharashtra State government has, in a shocking breach of faith, indicated that they would scrap the committees formed during the 9-day long fast undertaken by Medha Patkar and others at Golibar- Khar, Mumbai and hand over the enquiry to an already existing High Powered Committee of the government. 

The government had formed two committees comprising of nominees by the Government as well as people’s organizations and was to be headed by Retd. (Jat). Hosbet Suresh. The committees were formed as fact-finding committees that would look into the many illegalities in the implementation of the Slum Rehabilitation project at Golibar and 15 other critical cases of corruption and misappropriation through the Slum Rehabilitation schemes, brought out by suffering slum dwellers across Mumbai and make recommendations to the Government.

The residents of Golibar and Ganesh Krupa Society, one of the 46 project-affected societies in Golibar had, in a non-violent and peaceful manner been protesting against the fraudulent and repressive ways in which the Slum Rehabilitation project was being carried out on their land, by the developer Shivalik Ventures, which has changed its name many times over.  Shivalik Ventures had forged signatures of the slum-dwellers to indicate that it has the mandatory 70% consent for taking up the Slum Rehabilitation project. Further, it has encroached on land belonging to the Ministry of Defence to build permanent rehabilitation for the evicted slum-dwellers. It has also flouted norms laid down the Railways Ministry, which has issued a Stop Work notice and ordered demolition of rehabilitation buildings flouting its norms. 

Advocate Matoos, on behalf of the government conveyed to the Bench comprising Justice Shri Y.B Chandrachud and Justice Shri Anup Mohta today at 5 p.m. at the end of the Court’s day that he has written instructions from the government. The judges asked him to file the Affidavit Advocate Mihir Desai and Advocate Ashish Mehta informed the court that the respondents including activists Simpreet Singh and Medha Patkar  have much to say on the issues at hand and will file the reply Affidavit tomorrow morning. The case would come up tomorrow before the High Court at 3 p.m.

Please do write immediate letters to the Chief Minister to desist from recalling any of the commitments made during the fast and not betray the common people of his State.

The Maharahstra Government has given a written statement to the Mumbai High Court stating its intent to change the Government Resolution (GR) and issue a corrigendum in the matter of appointment of investigative committees, promulgated to inquire into corruption and irregularities by various builders in Mumbai. The  National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) expresses its determination to challenge this on legal and constitutional grounds. The Court has not adjudicated on the matter, as yet. It has neither accepted nor rejected the petition.


Meanwhile, the Additional Government Pleader Mr. Matoos denies responsibility of the fate of structures that were rebuilt after the demolitions in January, February and May, 2011. The Government will take 2 1/2 weeks to file the Affidavit. The status quo continues on the Committees. Since no written affidavit is filed, nor an official decision taken, the legal interpretation is that the GRs issued at the end of the 9-day long fast continue to be in place. The next hearing will take place after Government puts forth its decision and files its Affidavit.


Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan strongly feels the intention of the State tantamounts to betrayal of non-violent and democratic processes, since the decision to form the committees was made after long and meaningful dialogues from December 2010 onwards, as well as during the fast, with the government including the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, District Collector, Minister of Housing and various other government officers. Such backtracking is unjustifiable. This betrayal is irrational and immoral and a fraud on the Constitution and We The People.


It is an obvious example where the State has succumbed to the power of the builders in nexus with politicians and bureaucrats. This cannot be taken lying down and the Movement of the urban poor and those affected by these schemes will battle on. We appeal to all conscientious supporters to condemn the path of betrayal that the government has stepped on, creating a blot on democracy and crushing non-violent movements.

 

Santosh Daundkar                        Madhuresh Kumar             Faiza                    Prerna Gaikwad

 

(09821943920)                (09818905316)                (09820683281)

 



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Posted by collective at June 18, 2011 04:33 PM