Slum-Dwellers Stage Demonstration At BMC Office Demanding Houses In Odisha Capital

Bhubaneswar: A large number of residents of a slum area in Odisha capital staged a demonstration at the office of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) alleging that they are being deprived of houses and other facilities.

Members of over 50 families of Mangala basti gathered at the BMC office in Satya Nagar and staged a sit-in demanding immediate steps to provide them with houses.

The demonstrators had a brief interaction with Mayor Sulochana Das, who is likely to hold a detailed discussion with the protesters in order to resolve the issue.

Speaking to reporters, one of the demonstrators alleged that the residents of Mangala basti in Ward No. 9 have submitted numerous applications over the last around eight years, but no step has so far been taken to address their problems.

As a result, the slum dwellers are deprived of dwelling units, he claimed, alleging that there is no proper arrangement for electricity and water supply in the slum, which has become a safe haven for drug peddlers.

Stating fund was provided by the Centre for construction of houses in five blocks, he said work has stopped after construction of five blocks.

Alleging irregularities by the state government, he claimed that work is not progressing despite sanction of fund from the Centre.

It seems that the government does not want improvement in the living condition of the poor people and slum dwellers as it treats them only as vote bank, he claimed.