CPI (M) puts VMC on notice

The city unit of the CPI (M) has cautioned the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) that a massive agitation will be launched if the corporation does not drop the idea of evicting slum-dwellers, more particularly those living on Krishna Karakatta, under the garb of development.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, CPI (M) State committee member Ch. Babu Rao and other leaders said that the ruling Congress had assured the last general body of the VMC that the Karakatta dwellers would not be evicted.

But the VMC officials' top priority now seemed to be the eviction of Karakatta dwellers under the much-hyped Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY). It was glaringly evident with the visit to Karkatta and the statements of RAY Director.

The CPI (M) would take up an awareness campaign in slums on the ‘evil intentions' of the corporation, he said.

Referring to the RAY scheme, Mr. Babu Rao said that the conditions and guidelines of the scheme were beneficial only to real estate players, multi-national companies, and corporate houses.

The government was moving away from providing housing to the poor by mooting the idea of public private partnership models in housing under the RAY.