Bengaluru: Protesters demand Rs 5,000 crore for slum development

Bengaluru: Slum Janandolana Karnataka and the Savitribai Phule Women's Organization staged a protest at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on Monday, demanding an end to social and economic discrimination against slum residents.

They urged the government to allocate Rs 5,000 crore for slum development in the forthcoming state budget.

In a statement, released by the protesters on Monday, they said: "By keeping slum residents away from development and not providing basic facilities like land, housing, drinking water, roads, sewerage, street lights, toilets, and a livelihood, the guarantees of the Constitution have been made unattainable.

"We are demanding that the Karnataka government, which is working in commitment of social equality and social justice as per the Constitution, take a stand in our favour."

The protesters said that without urgent action, slum residents will continue to be marginalised, and their constitutional rights will remain out of reach.

Key demands 

Rs 5,000-crore allocation in the state budget for slum development.

Government grants for land acquisition to regularise private slums.

Amendments to the Karnataka Slum Development Board Act to better address the needs of slum dwellers, in line with the board’s 50th anniversary (golden jubilee).

Creation of a separate ministry for the social and economic empowerment of slum residents.

Implementation of the 2017-18 land bank scheme to provide housing for SC/ST and other marginalised communities, as per the Chitradurga Declaration.

Renaming of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and a Rs 25,000 grant for SC/ST and other disadvantaged beneficiaries.

Directives to district commissioners to allocate land for slum rehabilitation and establish a policy for tenement slums in deteriorating conditions.