Patkar says she has mega plan to provide homes to poor

Accusing the Maharashtra and Central governments of "failing" the common people, activist and former AAP leader Medha Patkar today said she had a mega housing plan under which one crore houses could be provided to slum-dwellers in Mumbai.
Patkar led a rally, comprising mainly homeless women, under the banner of 'Ghar Bachao-Ghar Banao' organisation in South Mumbai.
"The parties make tall promises before elections, but conveniently forget them after polls. All parties have promised to provide livable shelters in the city before election, but no government has done it so far.
"Now, we have chalked out a comprehensive plan on how one crore homes could be provided to needy people of the city, who are living in precarious conditions in slums. I appeal the government to invite us so that we can present the blue print of our mega housing plan," she said addressing the rally that culminated at the Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.

She said the state and Central governments have "miserably failed" to redress grievances of the common people and they are "serving" the interests only of the well-heeled.
"Respecting the poor class and running the country according to true spirit of Constitution is the best guarantee to establish an egalitarian society in country," Patkar said.

She said over nine lakh litres of water has been wasted in dousing the Deonar fire due to "mismanagement of administration". "(However), the same government is demolishing homes of the poor while trying to regularise the illegal buildings," the activist said.
She said the rally was a "collective expression" of people that most of recent problems concerning corruption, bad governance, lack of accountability emanated from "non-observance" of Constitution in the letter and spirit.

Providing houses to slum-dwellers has been a hot political issue, especially in run up to the elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) slated next year.