By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 10 Jan: BJP today dismissed Congress’ allegations regarding demolition of slum colonies as baseless propaganda. In a statement issued today, BJP State Media In-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan asserted that the BJP is committed to safeguarding slum dwellers and no slum dweller would be evicted till a permanent solution is worked out.
Chauhan accused Congress of political and economic exploitation of slum dwellers and criticised the attempts of Congress leaders to spread confusion on the issue. He asserted that that BJP has made consistent efforts to address the plight of slum residents through a structured approach.
The BJP leader claimed that his party has always been serious about finding a permanent solution for slums. In the past, the BJP government issued not one but three ordinances to provide relief to slum dwellers. The BJP Government has taken decisive steps, including conducting a hydrological survey to determine river widths, which is a critical step for land conversion and regularisation of slums.
Chauhan claimed that BJP Government has a scientific and technical approach to resolving the slum issue. The BJP Government is focused on finalising river width determinations, which would define submerged or riverbank land. This, he reminded is a prerequisite for completing processes like land conversion to enable slum regularisation.
Chauhan also accused Congress of exploiting the issue for political mileage without presenting viable solutions. He added that Congress has no concern for the settlements and is engaging in non-technical discussions. Instead of politicising this sensitive issue, Congress needs to recognise the BJP’s genuine efforts to protect slum dwellers from exploitation and provide them with relief.
Chauhan also reminded that the BJP government had previously brought ordinances in 2018 and 2021 to secure slum dwellers’ rights and ensure relief. He further stated that Congress had only made superficial attempts to regularise slums, which lacked proper groundwork and were aimed at gaining accolades.
The BJP leader claimed that the BJP has always prioritised the welfare of the poor and underprivileged. The BJP Government has ensured development work in settlements, brought them under the tax net, and taken steps towards their regularisation. Now the government is working on a permanent solution, with all scientific and technical studies in their final stages.
Until a legal resolution is achieved, the BJP government has come up with yet another ordinance to provide immediate security to slum dwellers.
