MMRDA will probe PAP ‘scam’

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) commissioner U.P.S. Madan has ordered an inquiry into allegations that its officials, in cahoots with private survey agencies, had inflated the number of project-affected people (PAP) for its Mumbai Urban Transport Project.

Mr Madan has asked an official from the social development cell of MMRDA for a report.

The Asian Age had reported, on June 1, 2016, about activists and PAPs alleging that MMRDA officials had inflated the number of PAPs for its project in Vikhroli and also gave flats to people who were not eligible for rehabilitation.

However, officials from the social development cell have denied foul play and have claimed that the allegations of MMRDA inflating the number of PAPs are not true. “The activists are considering the electoral roll records as proof to identify the number of slum dwellers who existed during rehabilitation; however, the MMRDA does not consider the electoral roll records as the proof and relies on the record given to them by the survey agencies,” said Vishram Patil, chief, social development cell.

Mr Patil further claimed that there is nothing wrong in not considering the electoral roll as proof to identify slum dwellers.

“Under the rehabilitation guidelines, it is clearly mentioned that if a shanty exists, we are bound to rehabilitate, be it a legal or illegal slum. This could be the reason behind having to rehabilitate around 311 slum dwellers instead of 240, as claimed by the PAPs. The same has been conveyed to the metropolitan commissioner Mr Madan when he had inquired with me about the allegations,” said Mr Patil.

Meanwhile, Mr Madan was unavailable to clarify on the allegations and did not respond to text messages.

Activists and PAPs said they would continue with their agitation. The matter came to light when, in a letter dated May 20, 2016, activists wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also happens to be the chairman of MMRDA, seeking an inquiry into the housing scam where MMRDA officials in nexus with private survey agencies inflated the number of PAPs and gave flats to people who are not eligible for rehabilitation.