Slums for new redevelopment scheme

Asserting that the current slum redevelopment scheme is pro-builder, housing activists and slum residents joined hands to demand the implementation of the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY), a redevelopment scheme that gives slums the right to self-development.

Asserting that the current slum redevelopment scheme is pro-builder, housing activists and slum residents joined hands to demand the implementation of the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY), a redevelopment scheme that gives slums the right to self-development.

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“Mumbai will not benefit from RAY if government officials are not pressurised. Earlier too, another scheme was not introduced in Mumbai. And the SRA scheme only benefits builders,” said activist Medha Patkar.

RAY, which was instituted in 2009, is a central government scheme under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission that extends support to states willing to assign property rights to slum dwellers.

“RAY gives slum-dwellers the right to land and does not have any cut-off date,” said Khar slum resident, Prerna Gaikwad.

Arguing that fixing a cut-off date is a breach of human rights, retired justice Suresh Hospet said, “We have a right to life, which is the right to shelter and other basic facilities. How can we have a cut-off date to get a house?”