Denying the allegations of the dwellers of Jai Bhuvaneshwari Slum that there are no basic amenities at flats constructed and allotted to them, authorities of Karnataka Slum Development Board (KSDB) on Thursday told the Karnataka High Court that they were being evicted from the slum situated on the premises of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases based on the earlier directions of the High Court itself.
In a statement, the KSDB stated that 1,056 new flats were built at Kudlu village for the rehabilitation of dwellers of Jai Bhuvaneshwari Slum, Arasu Colony Slum and slum-dwellers who are allotted houses under the Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana.
KSDB also contended that the 544 families from the other two locations were already staying in the new flats at Kudlu village from the past three years.
Thepresent petition against their eviction and rehabilitation was filed to “ensure that the efforts to rehabilitate them is defeated and they continue to remain in the slum within the hospital premises,” KSDB said, adding that water supply and sewerage facility has been made available in the new flats.
KSDB authorities alleged that as people who were allotted flats had not taken possession of the same, taps and other accessories had been stolen. So, now security guards have been posted there and maintenance work is also being taken up. The board authorities also denied the allegation of slum-dwellers that the construction of the flats was of poor quality. They were build under the Basic Service for Poor scheme of the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, the court was told.
Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri adjourned further hearing to Friday while extending stay against eviction by a day while also asking the Board to specify the facilities provided at the flats.
