In Nagpur Tajbagh slums are being forcibly evicted
It has also been stated in the petition that the slums are being vacated without taking necessary measures for their rehabilitation.
Nagpur: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, a demand has been made for the state government’s intervention in beautifying the Taj Bagh complex. It has also raised a lot of concern that the beautification process could displace slum dwellers on the 84 acres of land that the temple trust is in possession of.
It has also been stated in the petition that the slums are being vacated without taking necessary measures for their rehabilitation. The Tajbagh shrine, named after the Sufi saint Tajuddin Baba, also has businessman Pyare Khan as chairman of the trust.
In this whole matter, notice has been issued to the defendants by the court as well. Petitioner’s counsel Rais Khan has also submitted that these include the state government, the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), and the chairman of the Hazrat Tajuddin Baba Trust.
Citing the petition, Khan has also said that the beautification of the complex has been approved under a Government Resolution (GR) of 2013, which also talks about rehabilitating oustees. The repair will be done per the scheme prescribed under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM). And for this, there is a great need to provide basic urban facilities.
Trying to evacuate the residents to accommodate the builders
Khan has also said that no notice has been given to the slum dwellers nor has rehabilitation been assured, Still, they are being verbally asked to leave the land and a lot of pressure is also being put on them.
The petition also states, “In the guise of beautification, the present management committee is harassing the residents. And often with the help of police officers trying to evict people living in the area. This is being done without following the mandatory provisions of law.”
It has further been stated in the public interest litigation that the Management Committee is taking unilateral decisions only on the basis of a declaration by political parties, and trying to evacuate the residents to accommodate the builders as well. It has also been said in the public interest litigation that the structures of shop owners and residential complexes have been demolished without any notice.
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