The Hindu 31.12.2010
Chatri opposes Slum Redevelopment Act
| 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.
