JD(S) leader challenges Maharashtra CM on land act
Veteran Janata Dal (Secular) leader PB Samant has dared Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to publicly explain the benefits, if any, of repealing the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act.
By TNN |
MUMBAI: Veteran Janata Dal (Secular) leader PB Samant has dared Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to publicly explain the benefits, if any, of repealing the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act (ULCRA).
The Nagari Nivara Parishad floated by Janata Dal (S) has organised a rally at Shivaji Park on October 14 to begin its public awareness campaign against repeal of the ULCRA. Mr Samant, who is 84, told a press conference that the organisation has invited Mr Deshmukh for a public debate on the various aspects of ULCRA.
"We would like the CM to convince us about the benefits of repealing the Act. If he fails to do, we will try to convince him about the benefits of continuing with the Act,” said another veteran of the socialist movement, Mrinal Gore.
Mr Samant said the public mobilisation campaign being undertaken by Nagari Nivara Parishad in favour of ULCRA has got signatures of 1.24 lakh people. “These people have got themselves registered as members of the Parishad and formed 3,926 co-operative societies to demand land from the government.
In Mumbai alone, the government has acknowledged that 30,000 acres of surplus land is available for acquisition under the Act. We want the government to acquire this land and hand over most of it to these societies and needy people who do not have housing in Mumbai,” said Mr Samant.
The octogenarian leader referred to a successful housing project undertaken by Nagari Nivara Parishad for 6,000 families in Goregaon under the ULCRA. “This demonstrates that the Act can still be implemented for the larger good of the people in Mumbai if the government has the will,” he added.
The state government has proposed to repeal the Act in the winter session of the state legislature in December. “If the Act is repealed, around 30,000 acres of land would be released to real estate market players, who would certainly not use it for the benefit of an average Mumbaikar.
The issue cannot be settled in Assembly and there has to be a public debate. We will take the public awareness campaign to its climax before the Nagpur session,” Mr Samant said.
The Nagari Nivara Parishad floated by Janata Dal (S) has organised a rally at Shivaji Park on October 14 to begin its public awareness campaign against repeal of the ULCRA. Mr Samant, who is 84, told a press conference that the organisation has invited Mr Deshmukh for a public debate on the various aspects of ULCRA.
"We would like the CM to convince us about the benefits of repealing the Act. If he fails to do, we will try to convince him about the benefits of continuing with the Act,” said another veteran of the socialist movement, Mrinal Gore.
Mr Samant said the public mobilisation campaign being undertaken by Nagari Nivara Parishad in favour of ULCRA has got signatures of 1.24 lakh people. “These people have got themselves registered as members of the Parishad and formed 3,926 co-operative societies to demand land from the government.
In Mumbai alone, the government has acknowledged that 30,000 acres of surplus land is available for acquisition under the Act. We want the government to acquire this land and hand over most of it to these societies and needy people who do not have housing in Mumbai,” said Mr Samant.
The octogenarian leader referred to a successful housing project undertaken by Nagari Nivara Parishad for 6,000 families in Goregaon under the ULCRA. “This demonstrates that the Act can still be implemented for the larger good of the people in Mumbai if the government has the will,” he added.
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The state government has proposed to repeal the Act in the winter session of the state legislature in December. “If the Act is repealed, around 30,000 acres of land would be released to real estate market players, who would certainly not use it for the benefit of an average Mumbaikar.
The issue cannot be settled in Assembly and there has to be a public debate. We will take the public awareness campaign to its climax before the Nagpur session,” Mr Samant said.
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