Over 50 representatives of various slum bodies across the country, including Odisha, came under one platform to discuss various issues of slum dwellers at an all-India convention held in New Delhi on Sunday. During the meeting, the participants raised their concern over the Government’s apathy for rehabilitation of slums and non-execution of various schemes meant for them.
Representatives from Odisha demanded that displacement of slums be stopped without rehabilitation of the slum people. They discussed about the issuance of notice served by Railway authorities to slum dwellers residing in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri.
Bastibasindanka Milita Manch, Cuttack Joint Convenor Sheikh Abdullah said “taking five demands, a mass convention involving slum dwellers from all over the State would be held in front of the Assembly soon”. The demands include withdrawal of the land Bill, cancellation of the RAY withdrawal by the Centre and immediate publication of report of the committee, formed by State Government for poor people of Cuttack, etc, he added.