Slumdog kids closer to homes outside slums

The MHADA had earlier announced that it would provide houses to the two families; Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh had said these would be funded by the party. The chairman of MHADA’s Mumbai Board,Amarjeet Singh Manhas,has said the families will have to choose from among options.

The houses will be under the category for the Economically Weaker Section and are at Malwani,Sion and Ghatkopar. “Under MHADA law you have to submit an affidavit that you do not own any house in Mumbai. So it is up to the families to decide where they want to live and which house they want to take,” Manhas said.

The MHADA had offered the houses before the election,Kripashankar Singh had taken the proposal to the government,but the code of conduct had delayed the process. Now with the code lifted,a letter from the government is expected Friday,after which the families will be offered houses.

The house that Azhar is eyeing for now is under the Jai Ho trust. “It’s 180 sq feet,a one-room flat with an attached toilet-bathroom,and the family has liked it. We are completing the formalities and the family will be able to move in before the monsoon,” said Neerja Matoo,trustee for Jai Ho.

Rubina’s family,on the other hand,was skeptical of the offers. Rubina’s father Rafiq Qureshi took his daughter and gone to TISS to meet Danny Boyle,who was in the city to review the progress made. Yet Qureshi sounded dejected.

“Boyle hugged Rubina and told the lady from the trust to hurry up the process of procuring a house. They keep telling us that we have to look out for a house and they will pay,but it would be easier if they look for it. I have no idea how to shop for a house. So far,I have been expressing my heartfelt gratitude to all those who want to help my child. Now,only after their promises are translated into action will I believe that their intention is genuine,” Qureshi said.