Govt gives in, Medha ends fast

MUMBAI: Medha Patkar finally ended her nine-day fast at 1.50 pm on Saturday after the government accepted five of her demands pertaining to slum rehabilitation projects. Patkar had been protesting against the forceful eviction of Ganesh Krupa slumdwellers at Golibar in Khar. The slumdwellers were allegedly evicted by the police on May 20. "It's a victory for lakhs of people who have been fighting for their right to live in the financial capital with dignity," she said.
As per the agreement, all demolitions in the Golibar area will be halted till the constituted committees complete their inquiries and action is taken on their recommendations.The 3k clause will also be revoked, thus cancelling all agreements between builders and the slum redevelopment suthority (SRA) for the six projects where 3k was applied. The government has also agreed to declare over 19 post-1995 settlements as slums under the Maharashtra Slums Act, 1971, within three months.
The redevelopment of Golibar slums in Khar (E), spread over 140 acre and home to over 26,000 families, started in 2005.
Time restrictions have also been imposed on the committees which were formed on Friday. While the five-member panel formed to look into irregularities at 15 societies will have to submit its report in four months, the other three-member committee, which will look into violations at Ganesh Krupa Society, is supposed to submit its report by June 15. Both the committees have activist Simpreet Singh from Patkar's camp as a panel member.
The government's acceptance of Patkar's demands has dealt a blow to the residents of Ganesh Krupa Society, who have been chain-fasting for a week to counter the social activist's hunger strike. "Almost 4,000 of us have been living in transit camps for the last five years. Where will we go if our rehabilitation scheme is halted," asked Shubhangi Shinde, chief promoter of Ganesh Krupa Society. The agitators plan to take out a massive rally to the chief minister's office on Monday.he government finally bowed down to Medha Patkar's 'Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao' agitation over the conflicted Golibar land on Saturday afternoon signaling an end to her indefinite fast. Patkar's fast ended on its ninth day at 1.50 pm as consensus was reached over five main demands by the afternoon.
The protest which involved several talks at the collector's office with the suburban collector Nirmal Kumar Deshmukh and state chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad and representatives of the Ganesh Krupa Society of Golibar slums reached its climax on Friday evening with the intervention of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. The telephonic conversation with the CM assuring them of positive developments paved way for decisive talks on Saturday.
As per the agreement, all the demolitions in Golibar area will be halted till the enquiry by Constituted Committees are complete and action is taken on the recommendation. The 3k clause will also be revoked, thus cancelling all agreements between builders and Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) for the 6 projects where 3k has been applied. The government accepted the proposal for 19 plus settlements post 1995 to be declared slums under Maharashtra Slums Act, 1971 within 3 months.
Time restrictions were also imposed on the committees formed on Friday. While the Joint 5 member Committee to look into irregularities of 15 societies is to submit their report in four months, another 3 member Committee to look into irregularities in Ganesh Krupa Society is supposed to submit its report by 15th June. Both the committees have activist Simpreet Singh from Patkar's camp representing the civil society.
Patkar, who broke her fast by accepting lemon juice, said, "It is the victory of lakhs of people fighting for their right to live in the financial capital with dignity."
The redevelopment project in Golibar slums in Khar east, a 140 acre land and a home of over 26,000 families, started in 2005. It was undertaken by the SRA, which was alleged to be corrupt and detrimental to the interests of the slum-dwellers.
The government's acknowledgement of Patkar's demand has dealt a severe blow to the hunger protest against her agitation by the residents of the same society. The residents, who have been chain-fasting since a week, allege that government is being pressurized by those with vested interests. "Almost 4000 of us have vacated our houses since the SRA scheme and live in various transit camps since last five years. Where will we go if our rehabilitation scheme is halted?" asked Shubhangi Shinde, chief promoter of Ganesh Krupa Society. The agitators plan to take out a massive rally to the Chief Minister on Monday.