PUNE:  The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) expressed different views at the General Body meeting on Tuesday over the issue of increasing height of buildings in Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes. Congress is against increasing the height of the buildings.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Cabinet Minister for Housing Jitendra Awhad revised SRA rules and decided to allow SRA schemes up to 100 metres in height. The issue was discussed at the monthly General Body meeting.

Congress leader Arvind Shinde objected to increase in the height in SRA schemes. He said, “This will create a burden on the infrastructure of the city. At present, buildings of SRA schemes are in bad condition due to lack of regular maintenance as people are not paying maintenance charges. If height increases, who will take care of basic services and maintenance of buildings, such as lift and cleanliness.”

NCP corporator Subhas Jagtap said, “Pawar and Awhad made the decision to speed up SRA schemes. On the demand of developers and slum dwellers, the government made a decision.”

Finally, City Mayor Murlidhar Mohol intervened in the discussion and said it is not a PMC-related issue. So, please stop discussing it at PMC General Body meeting.