NGOs oppose eviction of slum-dwellers

VADODARA, March 24: The issue of the plight of slum-dwellers due to demolitions effected by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has ...

VADODARA, March 24: The issue of the plight of slum-dwellers due to demolitions effected by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has once again come to light with various city-based organisations opposing their eviction without providing proper alternative sites.

Citing the demolition of 13 huts at Bhuri Talavdi in Karelibaug on March 20 and an attempt to demolish settlement in Chikoowadi on March 18, Bina Sreenivasan of Swashraya, an NGO working for slum-dwellers, told reporters on Wednesday that it posed a question of human rights violation. She said while the land belonged to the Collectorate, the slum-dwellers have been staying for more than 35 years. Members of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and Shishu Milap alleged that residents of both the places were shown land which was being cultivated by a farmer. They alleged that in Chikoowadi, the VMC attempted demolition despite High Court stay and the operation was stalled only after representations to top civic authorities.

When contacted, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Administration) H S Patel, rubbished the allegations and said there was enough surplus land and the owner was cultivating his share. Admitting that there is an interim stay against demolition of huts in Chikoowadi, he claimed that the slum-dwellers were not shifting despite showing them alternative site.

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He said that as per a Supreme Court order in case of the Ahmedabad civic body, which was also applicable here, only huts on main roads are to be given alternative sites.

Sreenivasan regretted that the VMC stirred into action when the PUCL and other organisations approached the Human Rights Commission to visit Vadodara and see the plight of slum-dwellers.

Stressing the need for the VMC to give emphasis to urban planning as industrialisation would lead to proliferation of slums, Shobha Shah of Shishu Milap and Sreenivasan called voluntary organisations to unite for the cause. City unit president of PUCL Kirit Bhatt termed as unfortunate the VMC action against slum-dwellers.

While Bhatt said that slum-dwellers who worked as domestic help, at tea-stalls and as labourers formed important part of city’s development, J S Bandukwala and Dhiru Mistry reiterated the need for proper alternative sites.

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Talking to Express Newsline, Savita Mali, a resident of slum in Chikoowadi, claimed that the VMC staff had threatened them to vacate the place. Ganga Mali, another resident, denied allegations that they refused to shift because they wanted money from some builder. “What will we do with money. It will not last long. What we want is alternative land,” she added.