PUNE: Residents of Sarvodaya Cooperative Housing Society in Mundhwa have raised concerns about their unjust classification as a slum in the 2017 development plan (DP). They argue this mislabeling undermines their housing status and threatens their homes.
The residents assert that their society’s land is inaccurately depicted as part of a nearby slum, leading to many being incorrectly identified as slum dwellers. This classification would subject 2 acres and 25 guntha of their land to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).
A complaint has been lodged with the SRA, and officials have stated that they will investigate the issue if necessary.
Local residents emphasize that their society is one of 52 settlements established during British rule for communities impacted by the Criminal Act of 1872. In 1948, the Bombay government rectified this status, designating it as the Mundhwa Settlement Rehabilitation Area. Currently, the 7-acre site comprises three sections: a slum, the Sarvodaya Society with individual houses, and government land. Yet, the 2017 DP categorizes the entire area as a slum.
Balkrishna Jadhav, a resident who filed a complaint with the SRA, stated, “Authorities should not classify our society as a slum. We were unaware of our land being proposed for an SRA project. I requested documents under RTI about the survey and criteria used to classify our land as slum in the DP, but received no information.”
In his complaint dated August 20, Jadhav mentioned the beneficiary list was manipulated to secure approval for the SRA proposal. It includes individuals who aren’t residents, as well as minors born after 2008. He noted that the society, formed decades ago, allocated approximately 2,500 sqft to each member, yet the civic body’s layout allows only 1,225-1,250 sqft homes. “If the SRA proposal goes through, we will receive just a 350 sqft house. This is completely unfair,” Jadhav added.
Kalpak Salunke, another resident, urged, “The SRA and Pune Municipal Corporation must investigate our complaint. We deserve recognition as a legitimate society, not as part of a slum, which doesn’t reflect our identity.”
Shankar Gaikwad, chairman of the society, conveyed, “Members are consulting with various authorities. We plan to convene joint meetings to determine our next steps.”
SRA CEO Satish Khadke informed TOI, “We will carefully review the complaint details and will take appropriate action thereafter.”
