CM backs slum rehab scheme

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Thursday justified the need to retain the slum rehabilitation scheme. The scheme, though mired in allegations of corruption, “still addresses the basic housing requirement of the slum-dwellers”, said Mr Deshmukh. There had been allegations that the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) is in the hands of a cartel of politicians, builders and anti-social elements.

"It's a good scheme and there is no need to scrap it. Some have certainly misused it, but that does not make the scheme itself bad,” Mr Deshmukh said. The chief minister pointed out that legislators cutting across party lines had called for continuing the SRA scheme. He said the government was probing complaints of corruption.

During the meeting, Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, president of the Congress’ housing cell, spoke against the proposed use of salt pan land in Mumbai for housing the poor, or project-affected people. He said such a move could lead to sea-water inundating railway tracks, which are very close to salt pans.

Also a situation similar to what had happened on the Mithi river banks in July 2005 also cannot be ruled out. The state is eyeing around 5,000 acres of salt pans in Mumbai, owned by the central government.

The Centre has set up an empowered group of ministers under agriculture minister Sharad Pawar to formulate a plan. Mr Gidwani, however, pointed out that the use of salt pan land for housing could be an invitation to disaster.

Legislators from other cities spoke against the proposal to replicate Dharavi development plan in other slums. "Dharavi's demography differs from all other slums in Maharashtra. A redevelopment model ideal for Dharavi may not work for other slums and it should not be replicated as a fit-all model," a Congress legislator said.