Min Naik Bats for Pre-2000 slums

Allays fears of slum dwellers following HC Order against illegal huts
Thane District Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik has assured that the slums that came up in the city prior to 2000 will be given all the protection, subject to the final order by the Supreme Court on the petition pending in this regard. Naik also ordered the officials concerned to initiate action against slumlords who are encroaching upon government land and cheating innocent people.

Addressing a rally of slum dwellers at Turbhe Stores, Naik said that after regularizing the slums till 1995, the state government has already filed a petition in this regard with the Supreme Court. While there will be no action against the slums till 1995, we will try and provide all possible protection to the slums that have come up before 2000, subject to the SC order,” Naik said.

Panic triggered among people after the MIDC, CIDCO and civic authorities issued eviction notices to people following issued eviction notices to people following the Bombay High Court order to remove unauthorized construction on government land. Given the high confusion among general public regarding the notices, MLA Sandeep Naik had organised the public meeting

During the meeting, Ganesh Naik elaborated on every aspect of the issue so as to clear the confusion among thousands of people gathered for the meeting. Besides Sandeep Naik, MIDC officials, Thane Tehsildar Krishna jadhav, BDO Balasaheb Chatur, former chairman of NMMT Sasi Damodaran, local Police officials, corporations, and other office bearers were also present at the meeting.

Naik explained that the notices issued by authorities concerned are for survey of unauthorized constructions on government land and not for demokition of houses. “Those who have got the notices should submit the ownership documents to the authorities concerned. Around 90% houses in Turbhe Stores are pre-1995. Since the government is regularized these constructions, their demolition is out of question,” Naik said adding, “Slum dwellers should be assured that no action will be taken against them. I will even go to jail to protect the slum dwellers in the city.”
He also came down heavily on the self proclaimed saviours of slum dwellers. “Some people are trying to gain political mileage over the issue of notices. These people are misleading innocent people creating issues which do not exist. People should be aware of such leaders,” Naik said. He also assured the slum dwellers that everyone would get a pukka house once the SRA scheme is implemented in the city.