By Firoz.T.Totanawala
The Bangalore Metro Reporter
15th June 2011 issue-
BEGGARS ARE NOT CHOOSERS
Unethical
Transfer of Destitute/Beggars’ Relief
Centre Land
Quite a filmy plot it is. The land meant for Beggars’ relief and
rehabilitation is up for grab to construct a star hotel or a commercial
complex.
The said Land is of Nirashritara Parihara Kendra (Beggars’ Home)
which was actually acquired from farmers way back in 1944 for social welfare
cause such as Beggars’ Relief and rehabilitation. Now the Government has transferred
123.3 acres of Land from Beggars’ Colony to BDA vide a Government Order dated
10th June 2010. And further, the BDA has issued notification
inviting Expression of Interest for commercial development of this Land.
While this transfer of Land to BDA was challenged and opposed in
High Court, the BDA on 30th May, 2011, vide notification
no. BDA/EE/ID-3/CRC/T-3/2011-12, invited Expression of Interest (EoI) for
development of International Convention Centre, Star Category Hotel, Commercial
Complex and Leisure & Entertainment facilities on the same 123.3 acre land
that was transferred from the Nirashritara Parihara Kendra (Beggars’ Home) to
BDA.
The High Court of Karnataka had also admitted the Public Interest
Litigation (PIL) challenging the Government Order and also to direct the
Government of Karnataka to take several measures to implement the Karnataka
Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975 effectively so as to bring true relief and
rehabilitation to beggars & destitute citizens. But, the BDA notification for
commercial development indeed came as a shock.
It is believed that the buildings and facilities constructed in
2007-08 for beggars at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crores will be bull dozed to make way
for the new commercial structures. The beggars however will be shifted to a new
building that is to be constructed in the same campus at a cost of Rs. 40
crores.
To protest this shameful gamble by the political bigwigs, Friends
of RASTR Group and other concerned Citizens are up hand in hand and are
demanding answers from the Government and the Opposition. The questions that
matters are-
1.
Why is the Government eager to develop profit-making
entities like Star Hotel, International
Convention Center
2.
What Public purpose or Social Welfare Cause is served by International Conventional Centre, Star Category Hotel, Leisure and Entertainment facilities,
and Commercial Complex?
3.
This prime land of 123.3 acres close to Outer Ring Road
4.
Why our Hon. Leaders of Opposition Parties are silent on
this matter?
5.
Has our Hon. Chief Minister forgotten his own announcement
in 2009 to develop ‘Mini‑Lalbagh’ on the NPK land acquired for the
purpose of Social Welfare viz. Beggars’ rehabilitation?
6.
Who is responsible for the Rs. 3.5 crore of public money
that the Government spent to construct new buildings and facilities in 2007-08
inside the Kendra, which will be bulldozed now to build profit-making Hotels?
7.
Why is the Government impatient to call for tenders to
build International Convention Centres when the matter is subjudice?
8.
Who is the Government trying to help here – the beggars,
homeless, destitute and the poor citizens or Business houses, Corporate and the
rich?
9.
Does the Government have any statistics about beggars in
the city or the state and the facilities required to provide relief and
rehabilitation to all of them? Is even the present 161 acres of land with the
NPK Bengalooru adequate to provide relief and rehabilitation to all beggars?
10. Why is the Government
denying the Garden City of 123.3 acres of Lung Space and the Opposition being a
mute spectator to this atrocity?
Any answers????
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