(People protesting outside the SRA meeting.)
- Why were you protesting outside the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) meeting in Mumbai?
- This protest is not for ourself.
If somebody works for development it is our duty to join and support them.
People who are uneducated, are usually ignorant about certain things related to their area.
They will be unaware of any wrongdoings or misdeeds happening in their area.
It was for this reason that I went along with my friends to protest against this meet.
SRA is a government scheme.
It has been an ongoing process since 2006 at Sathe Nagar slum area.
This scheme has been more of empty promises to people.
25 years ago, when this place was a swamp,
builders never took any interest in these Sathe Nagar slums.
Suddenly one day they came here and demolished most of the houses.
They have began to notice our area now.
- How do these builders cheat innocent people?
- Builders pay huge sums of money to slum- dwellers during festivals or auspicious events.
Some get bonus money while others get monthly salaries.
People get carried away with money and give up their homes to builders in the hope of a new house.
When it is time for builders to hand over the new property to the slum-dweller,
builders ask slum-dwellers to surrender previous ownership documents for possession of a new house.
Many other jobless people get together with builders and form ponzi committees.
Builders pay these committee members a monthly salary to maintain their trust.
These committee have biases towards a particular builder and the SRA, while other builders are kept away.
Nearly 10 builders have come and gone.
It was found out through a survey that 3 builders have committees in Sathe Nagar slums.
- How do committees spread the word to people? How do 8000 slum dwellers find out about any SRA scheme?
- (Question continued) How do people come to know about the outcome of any SRA meeting?
- The slum dwellers never know of what happens in the meetings or any declarations made by the SRA.
Surveys are conducted silently, notices are put up in places where not too many people can see them.
These committee people are only greedy for money.
- What is your future course of action?
- We will get together and protest.
Once we raise our voices, we may get justice.
This is how we plan to take things forward.
- Are you aware that your house will be demolished soon?
- Yes, I know my house will be destroyed
and that a building will surely get constructed here.
There is still time for that.
Still a lot of time for that.
The government has formed a standing committee to regulate the decisions of SRA.
We can report any complaints to this committee.
Their number is..
It is our responsibility to take benefit of government schemes
and ensure its success.
I am Amol Lalzare from Mumbai, reporting for IndiaUnheard.