Chief Minister had promised to form a committee to fix the housing prices and submit their results within a week, but it has been twenty days since the promises were made and there hasnalt39t been any development which triggered the protest
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STAFF REPORTER Mumbai
The Mill Workersalt39 Struggle Committee with support from the Shramik Sanghatana and several other state and national labor organizations called for an indefinite fast at Azad Maidan on Tuesday, against the delay in providing affordable housing for citys mill workers.
Rehabilitation of Mumbais textile mill workers has been a major issue for over two decades. On March 20th, the Chief Minister had promised to form a committee to fix the housing prices and submit their results within a week. He had also promised form another committee to discuss the availability of land to provide homes for the rest of the workers and to declare their results within the period of two months. The failure to meet these two promises triggered the fast.
” It is unfortunate that the workers have to take such massive steps against the government for every little legitimate demand they have. It has been twenty days since the CM made these promises and there hasnalt39t been any development since,” said Jayashri Khadilkar- Pande, Editor of the Marathi daily Nava Kal and the co- ordinator of the movement.
Apart from a massive gathering of workers, several independent activists, journalists and political leaders Shiv Sena MP Mohan Rawale and Former Mayor Mahadeo Deole were also present at the venue to show solidarity with the workersalt39 movement.
” They have made us wait for everything. I have been waiting for the money from Swadeshi since it closed down eleven years ago. When it comes down to selling of properties and negotiating deals with big businessmen, all the processes suddenly become swift and smooth. Why then, is the government so slow and lethargic when its for the people who have lost everything and are simply asking for their fair share?” said Sakharam Mahadik, former employee of the Swadeshi Mills.
A delegation of workers went to the state legislature in the afternoon to meet Housing Minister, Sachin Ahir, to tell him about their grievances. Ahir repeated the governments promise and said that, the committee headed by Revenue Minister, Balasaheb Thorat, will look for open lands in Mumbai and suburbs while the other committee headed by Parlimentary Affairs minister, Harshvardhan Patil, will fix the prices for these affordable homes.
” When it comes down to selling of properties and negotiating deals with big businessmen, all the processes suddenly become swift and smooth.Why then, is the government so slow and lethargic when its for the people who have lost everything and are simply asking for their fair share?” SAKHARAM MAHADIK Former employee, Swadeshi Mills
