Slum dwellers’ rehabilitation remains uncertain

The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) has already issued eviction notices to about 8,000 slum dwellers with 3,000 more notices to be issued in the coming days. While political parties are standing in support of these slum dwellers living on the banks of the Rispana and Bindal rivers, the MCD officials state that at present there is no provision for rehabilitation of the residents served eviction notices.

Talking to The Pioneer, the Dehradun municipal commissioner Vijay Kumar Jogdande said, “About 11,000 slum dwellers were marked by us as encroachers. In pursuance of High Court orders we have already served 8,000 notices. We are discharging out duties as per the High Court orders and will work further accordingly.”

When asked about the rehabilitation of the thousands of people living in the slums and steps planned by MCD he said that the corporation will follow the HC directions. He said, “Our duty is to serve notices to the encroachers and that is what we are doing. We are not in a position to rehabilitate so many people. That is an issue which the State Government will look into. However, we have some provisions under the slum related policies of MCD in three categories. Slum dwellers can benefit from such policies depending on their status but none of those served eviction notices fall under any of the three categories.”

He stressed, “The rehabilitation is not in our hands. We too are waiting for an ordinance from the Government, which will decide our future course of action in this anti-encroachment drive.”

When asked about the possibility of rehabilitating the residents under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Housing For All (PMAY-HFA) he said that the corporation will look at the options if the Government doesn’t bring in an ordinance. The options include flats made by the MCD or homes made under the PMAY-HFA scheme, he added.

Rehabilitation plan could not succeed

The municipal commissioner said that about one year ago, the MCD had constructed flats in three locations for rehabilitation of slum dwellers. Each project has capacity for housing at least 100 families.

Currently, families of the corporation staff are living in some of the flats and taking care of the same. The flats are situated in Kedarpuram, Kathbangla and Ramnagar areas. Construction of the building in Kathbangla is not yet complete.

Municipal Commissioner Vijay Kumar Jogdande said, “The buildings were built about one year ago but because of some issues raised by the slum dwellers due to which the plan for their rehabilitation could not succeed.