The Indian Express             21.11.2013

Demolition drive: TV, fridge, microwave form part of belongings of EWS colony residents

As demolition started at Colony Number 5, the residents could be seen
taking carts and mini-trucks loaded with a variety of items including
electronic goods making an exodus towards other areas. While those who
have been allotted houses at the rehabilitation colony at Dhanas started
taking possession of the houses, the remaining looked for alternative
accommodations.

Colony Number 5 was among the most populated colonies in the
city. Hundreds of people encroached upon the 60 acres and built numerous
hutments. A part of the land was removed few years back for
construction of a road. The remaining, however, continued to be with the
residents.

One-room tenements have been built at Dhanas for the residents of
the colonies and they were asked to shift within a month of issuance of
allotment letters. Later, a 21 day deadline was also given. As this
came to an end on Tuesday, a decision was taken to raze the hutments.

As people packed their belongings, all kinds of items came
tumbling out of the hutments. In a colony that essentially houses people
from the economically weaker sections, refrigerators, television sets,
microwaves and air-conditioners seemed to be possessed by a substantial
number the people.

In fact, at the recently allotted houses at Dhanas, massive
renovation is being undertaken by the beneficiaries. This is one among
the reasons for refusing to shift to the tenements as the work was still
underway. The beneficiaries are partitioning the one room allotted to
them by constructing a wall in between. Kitchens are being furnished and
tiles are being laid.

While some of the beneficiaries have been given the allotment
letter, more than a 1,000 are in the waiting list. Their documents were
found to be incomplete. They complained that their cases should have
been cleared before the demolition was undertaken.

Mohan, one of the beneficiaries said that there was some problem with
the papers, due to which, he was running from pillar to post to get
possession of the tenement allotted to him in Dhanas. He said that the
anomalies should have been taken care of before the demolition.

There were others who had similar tales to narrate. Some
complained about the slow pace of work at Chandigarh Housing Board where
the documentation has to be completed. Similar complaints were received
at the RLA office in Sector 42.

As a large number of residents shifted to Dhanas on Wednesday to
take possession of the tenements, chaos was also witnessed there.
Officials of the Administration were present at the spot to take stock
of the situation. The rehabilitation colony still did not have basic
amenities including water supply and electricity. Directions were issued
to provide these. Till the cases of those in the waiting list are
cleared, alternative arrangements for their accommodation would be made.
Many families in Dhanas are ineligible for allotment of houses under
the rehabilitation scheme. They were making arrangements for shifting to
adjoining localities.