Slumbai - Part 1
I've always been against slums. Not that I am against free or low-cost housing. Slums are different. They come anywhere and everywhere with impunity. Maybe they have the local policitians' backing and vice-versa.
Some people think they are doing a great job by supporting the "poorer" sections. This can be seen in the actions of our Sunil Dutt as well most other Congress party members. Whereas some may be doing it out of genuine concern for the poor, most others are only doing it to create a vote bank. I've seen the population growth of the so-called "bhaiyas". This is mostly through influx from UP and Bihar. Of course, there are people coming from other parts of India too (and outside India - most notably Bangladesh and Nepal).
This is part of the modus operandi and the larger motive is to gain the political control of Mumbai. Unfortunately, none of the leaders really care about Mumbai. I've also noticed that most of the low cost houses built in our area are owned by North Indians; the poorer Maharashtrians have not yet got a house allotment. This is unforunate and the cause for this is the lack of awareness among Maharashtrians. The "bhaiyas", on the other hand, have a wide network and know whom to approach and what to exploit. It may not be surprising that some get allotted multiple flats (and hence multiple voter cards).
Slums are also a great investment. One day we might end up investing in slums.
That slums are the brakes on the progress of Mumbai is well known. Check this link on how slums are hampering of rail expansion between Borivli and Virar. Were it not for these slums the people beyond Borivli would not have to suffer so much in commuting everyday.
Another "trick" or loophole is up for exploiting. This link shows how carelessly the rules are drafted (or maybe they are drafted carefully to allow such loopholes intentionally). As it says in the article, one can get a free flat in Mumbai by blocking any path on which there is development by the Mumbai Urban Transportation Project (MUTP). The pre-2000 rule does not apply to the MUTP development. Therefore, we can setup some shanty where a MUTP project is about to come up and thus get a free flat.
And who finances the free flat? The tax payers, of course.
Some people think they are doing a great job by supporting the "poorer" sections. This can be seen in the actions of our Sunil Dutt as well most other Congress party members. Whereas some may be doing it out of genuine concern for the poor, most others are only doing it to create a vote bank. I've seen the population growth of the so-called "bhaiyas". This is mostly through influx from UP and Bihar. Of course, there are people coming from other parts of India too (and outside India - most notably Bangladesh and Nepal).
This is part of the modus operandi and the larger motive is to gain the political control of Mumbai. Unfortunately, none of the leaders really care about Mumbai. I've also noticed that most of the low cost houses built in our area are owned by North Indians; the poorer Maharashtrians have not yet got a house allotment. This is unforunate and the cause for this is the lack of awareness among Maharashtrians. The "bhaiyas", on the other hand, have a wide network and know whom to approach and what to exploit. It may not be surprising that some get allotted multiple flats (and hence multiple voter cards).
Slums are also a great investment. One day we might end up investing in slums.
That slums are the brakes on the progress of Mumbai is well known. Check this link on how slums are hampering of rail expansion between Borivli and Virar. Were it not for these slums the people beyond Borivli would not have to suffer so much in commuting everyday.
Another "trick" or loophole is up for exploiting. This link shows how carelessly the rules are drafted (or maybe they are drafted carefully to allow such loopholes intentionally). As it says in the article, one can get a free flat in Mumbai by blocking any path on which there is development by the Mumbai Urban Transportation Project (MUTP). The pre-2000 rule does not apply to the MUTP development. Therefore, we can setup some shanty where a MUTP project is about to come up and thus get a free flat.
And who finances the free flat? The tax payers, of course.
posted by Anon at 10:41 PM
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