The Times of India           23.11.2010

Row over demolition of school structure by Mhada

PUNE: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's (Mhada) anti-encroachment drive in the Yerawada area has landed in a row over demolition of six tin sheds which were being used as classrooms by a school for slum children run by a local foundation. A part of the land on which the tin sheds were raised is reserved for school amenities.

The matter relates to the HGS Urdu School in the Nagpur housing board locality opposite Yerawada central jail. The school, run by Sanjeevani Foundation, operates Urdu medium classes up to Std IX, besides a play group and English-medium classes up to Std II.

The Mhada authorities have justified their demolition act on the grounds that the "unauthorised" structures occupied by the school had encroached upon a part of the plot (belonging to Mhada), which was legally allotted to some other person. Remaining part of this plot, reserved for school amenities, was never allotted to the foundation, they said. The foundation's plea for allotment is pending before the state department of housing, they added.

Office-bearers of Sanjeevani Foundation insisted that the sheds were built on the reserved plot and that, the Mhada officials acted in a "high-handed" manner while turning a Nelson's eye towards other encroachments on the land in subject.

"We have lost all our documents and records, not to mention the financial loss, owing to the demolition," said Javed Shadiwan, president, Sanjeevani Foundation. "The action has impacted 210 students from both, Urdu and English medium classes at our school," he added.

On Monday, the schoolchildren staged a protest demanding reinstatement of their school structure and denouncing Mhada for the action, which was taken around 1 pm on Saturday.

Shadiwan said, "Our school was recognised by the state government in 2004 and the Pune Municipal Corporation, too, has sanctioned classes. We have been teaching children, mostly from slums, for a nominal fee of Rs 100. The Mhada authorities acted unilaterally despite our pleas to let the students complete their academic year."

However, Shadiwan conceded that the school's application for allotment of the reserved land was pending clearance before the state government. "We have been following up the matter since the last three years and also held several meetings, in between, with Mhada authorities to convince them against acting in haste. Yet, they demolished the tin sheds overlooking recommendations from Mhada chairman Ankush Kakde asking Mhada authorities to find an apt solution to the issue," he said.

Rajendra Nimbalkar, Mhada's chief officer in Pune, dismissed the allegations levelled by Shadiwan as unjust and unfair. "The school already has a facility of its own and the tin sheds were being used as an extension facility without securing permission of any kind from us," he said.

Nimbalkar said, "We have issued notices on six occasions in the past (a fact acknowledged by Shadiwan) and have acted quite leniently in our meetings so far by allowing the school to use these structures on an assurance that they would be removed by November 10."

He said, "We have no issues if the school applies afresh for the reserved plot and get the same approved by the government, for re-starting the classes. However, its present plea pending before the government relates to the land which also includes a 460 sq mt plot that has been allotted to some other individual."

Nimbalkar maintained that Mhada had given the school ample opportunity to remove the structures and it was for the school authorities to ensure that they secured their records and documents.