Houses for slum dwellers by Dec 2010

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for construction of 1,500 houses in the Ragigudda slum at JP Nagar 2nd phase, the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said, “All 570 slums in the City will be rehabilitated under the JNNURM-BSUP scheme by Dec 2010 to make Bangalore a slum-free City". Jayanagar MLA B N Vijayakumar said the dwellers in the 30-year old Ragigudda slum will be rehabilitated in a three-storey housing block.

Nearly 10 lakh people continue to reside in slums. Yeddyurappa further said that title deeds would be  given for nearly 15,000 people who reside on Government land.

For the full text in the Deccan Herald, click here

The Indian Express report had also quoted Minister Ashoka as having stated that "in the next phase, people residing in slums that are not notified will be given title deeds".

Now that the BBMP elections are postponed, and the code of conduct does not apply any longer, I guess, it's time again to make all kinds of promises, whether there's intent to keep them or not. While a roof over one's head is undoubtedly a necessity for all, the questions that arise are:
 

• The figure (for living people in slums in the city) is supposedly 10 lakhs today. By the time you have rehabilitated them, how many more will have been added to it? Are you going to be providing for them also?
• Further, even if JNNURM funds are available, has the government made provosions (or, is making provisions) in the budget for matching funds from the state?
• Also, if the answer to all of the above is a yes, will it then not lead to increased rate of migration to the city? Does the government have a plan to address that?
• And, equally important, are the design and execution going to be entrusted with the PWD, who don't carry much of a reputation for competence or aesthetics?

And, as for "issuing of title deeds to people residing in slums that are not notified", is it not going to be encouraging the slum lords to grab vacant lands?

So, even as the government goes about executing the announced programmes, would it like to share with the citizens as to how it's going to be addressing the above concerns.

Muralidhar Rao