Thousands of Appa Pada residents in Mumbai rendered homless but no relief in sight from State Government

Bhartiy varta 

Letter to Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra & Ors.

Jagdish K Kashikar

Freelancer Journalist Mumbai, Maharashtra.

WhatsApp - 9768425757

This has reference to the recent devastating fire at  Appa Pada, Malad East, Mumbai, where approximately a slum cluster 3000 houses  was gutted beyond imagination. The poor residents lost everything and since then have been rendered homless with no State Relief in sight.

Even though the plight of said residents was raised as an issue in the Maharashtra Assembly, the state government merely assured the house that the slum dwellers who lost their houses will receive financial aid from the Chief Minister's relief fund.

The State Government even though ordered a survey to be conducted by the Tahsildars office to assess the losses and the number of people affected by said fire. The survey was hampered by ongoing agitation by State Government employees.

In case of State of Goa, the State offers Ex-Gratia payments as follows:

The Destroyed houses/Severely damaged Houses

Pucca House Rs 95,100/- per house, in plain areas.

Kutcha House Rs 1,01,900/- per house in hilly areas.

For Partially damaged Houses

Pucca House Rs 5,200/- per house (Damage at least 15%)

Kutcha House Rs.3,200/- per house (Damage at least 15%) Damaged/Destroyed Huts Rs 4,100/- Per Hut.

We demand that the work of survey be expedited by pressing more officials on duty.

As on date many NGO's are working in Appa Pada area and providing basic necessities to the local residents. But the said NGOs have certain limitations with regards to financial obligations and NGO's  cannot provide succor indefinitely to affected people.

The State Government has to chip in expeditiously and rehabilitate those who have lost everything in the fire and are forced to live under the open sky. The children are main victims and have bear the brunt because of loss of books and exams round the corner.

The said residents may be provided houses under Pradhan Matri Awas Yojana or any other beneficial schemes.

We therefore demand immediate intervention of the State Government.

Watchdog Foundation

Bombay East Indian Association