First give houses to mill workers: Shiv Sena tells BJP

Mumbai: Raising its ante against the state BJP government’s proposed bill that protects illegal slums up to January 1, 2011 and rehabilitates the slumdewellers, the Shiv Sena on Friday said that the government should first provide houses to lakhs of distressed mill workers. “The government is giving homes to outsiders living in a illegal hutments but they should first give houses to lakhs of mill workers, and those living in dilapidated chawls and dangerous buildings,” said Shivsena group leader in the legislative council MLA Anil Parab. He added that the government should frame a policy with consultation with the Brihanmumbai municipal corporation and others.  

Sena leaders said that the party is always fighting for the rights of Marathi manoos. Many Sena and opposition leaders felt that the BJP government mooted the proposal with an eye on the 2019 elections. The move will give political mileage to BJP in the slum area of Mumbai and MMR. The cabinet just approved the proposal to bring an amendment in the SRA act and Shiv Sena ministers have not raised any objections at that time. Sena leaders said that it will give protection to illegal slumdwellers, most of whom are outsiders (from other states) and it will affect the interests of Marathi people.

As part of the plan, builders will get an FSI of four and construct 35-40 lakh new houses, which will lead to increase in population and put pressure on the existing infrastructure of the city. A Sena leader said that the BJP-government did not consult BMC, which provides drinking water, collects garbage, handles traffic, health etc to the population.