Land freed by revocation of ULCA should be given to poor: JD(S)

Mumbai, June 4 (UNI) Janata Dal Secular (S) leader Mrinal Gore today said around 15,000 acre of land that has been freed by the revocation of the Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA) should be given to the co-operative societies, fighting for housing for the poor.

Addressing a press conference here, Ms Gore said, ''The poor in the city cannot afford houses and the government wants to give the land to moneyed builders, who will increase the cost of housing further.'' Activists of the Janata Dal (S) will protest on June 6, near Churchgate station in South Mumbai, demanding land for the co-operative societies, Ms Gore said.

''We have around 3,900 societies and we are demanding land from the government to house the poor in the city,'' Ms Gore said.

Another leader Vasant Shirali said that there is politicisation of the Marathi manoos and the sons of the soil, but nothing much is being done for the reducing population of Maharashtrians in the city.

''Maharashtrian population has come down from 46 per cent, a few decades ago, to less than 25 per cent and will reduce even more, with the increase in housing prices,'' Mr Shirali said.

Janata Dal (S) had also filed a petition in the High court regarding the increasing cost of housing and their demand for land for housing the poor. Decision on the same is expected tomorrow.

UNI JN SR RL NS1831