The Hindu 31.12.2010
Chatri opposes Slum Redevelopment Act
Staff Reporter
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Draft legislation contains several controversial proposals, say members |
Draft legislation needs to be discussed and debated widely, say Chatri members
‘Without holding such programmes, authorities simply uploaded the Act on internet’
HYDERABAD: The members of Campaign for Housing and Tenurial Rights
(Chatri) on Thursday raised several objections to the draft legislation
Andhra Pradesh Slum Redevelopment, Rehabilitation and Prevention
Act-2010.
The State government had recently posted the draft of the Act on the
Internet and requested public to come up with suggestions and
objections.
“The Act is meant for urban poor. How many slum dwellers have
patience, time and access to Internet to raise views or objections on
the Act? Till date, authorities have not interacted with beneficiaries
personally. Without consent of beneficiaries, how can they even think of
passing the legislation,” said Convenor, Chatri, J. Ramana Rao.
Discussion
During a media meet on Thursday, the Chatri members maintained that
the draft needs to be discussed and debated widely among general public
and political parties. “Without holding such programmes, authorities
have simply uploaded the Act on the internet,” they said. The Chatri
officials said that the draft legislation contains several controversial
proposals.
“It says 90 per cent of the households in slums will be vacated and
sent to city outskirts. If this happens, authorities will only end up
robbing their livelihood,” they said.
‘The Act clearly proposes to remove slums settlements on riverbeds,
along railway tracks, near heritage sites and those constructed on
naalas. However, it does not mention how the displaced would be
resettled and help them regain livelihood,” Chatri members said.
These proposals have to be discussed and debated by political
parties, general public and the beneficiaries in an open platform,
Chatri members demanded.
