Plots for mill workers: Sena stalls proposal

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena-headed improvements committee on Thursday stalled a proposal which would have given some respite to mill workers and their families. The party cited technical issues for sending back the proposal to acquire plots to build homes for mill workers.

The proposal, brought by the administration in the committee meeting, suggested for the construction of homes for mill workers on six plots at Dadar, Kalachowki, Lower Parel and Byculla, on a total area of 3,873.83 square metres (sqm). The administration suggested acquiring these plots from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) in exchange for one big plot owned by the civic body – at Western India Mills, Kalachowki– measuring 3,607.83 sqm. However, the committee sent the proposal back to the administration , seeking correction. It will now be tabled after the committee visits the plots on February 12.

Dilip Lande, committee chairman from Sena, said, “We don’t have any objection to the proposal. We only questioned the administration’s delay in tabling it. Besides, the proposal had several inaccurate information. Above all, we wanted to inspect the plot to make sure there are no encroachments. During the visit, we will also make sure that the plots are adjoining to our plot and there is no road or block in between them.”

The Opposition and the Bharatiya

Janata Party (BJP) then locked horns with the Sena, claiming that the ruling party was against the interest of the mill workers.

Ashraf Azmi, member of the committee from Congress, said, “The mill workers are without homes from the past two generations.the Sena is against them, so it delayed the proposal citing technical reasons. The exchange would have benefited the civic body, as it would have got an additional 200 sqm of plot.”

The proposal, which has been stuck with the administration since 2015, mentions that the adjoining plots which have to be acquired from Mhada, are located on the same city survey number as the existing BMC grounds reserved for recreational purposes.

Azmi added, “Apart from building homes, we could have acquired the plots to develop our gardens too. The elections will delay the project further now.”