Mt firstStory Idea.

Richy D Alexander
2nd September 2007
Story Idea

The power of politics; EWS (Economically Weaker Sections quarters) people are still suffering. New shopping complex will come on EWS.
The BMP (Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, now it is BBMP) constructed 1,512 flats (42 blocks in all with 32 flats in each block) on a 13- acre plot during 1987-1992 (for Rs. 2.23-crore HUDCO loan) for the economically weaker sections. But now it is a slum, due to the inefficiency of the BBMP and the Karnataka state government. Several times (over 300) flats collapsed owing to poor quality of construction. The recent time (July 2007) some buildings were collapsed 3 people killed. There are no basic facilities such as drinking water, road and drainage for the over 1500 families residing in the area. The monthly rent is Rs- 500-1000 depending upon the size of the house. I got the relevant information (with headlines and the date) from the following newspapers:
Part of EWS quarters at Ejipura collapses (Sunday, Oct 16, 2005) The Hindu.
BMP to raze EWS quarters at Ejipura (Friday, Jul 23, 2004) The Hindu.
Torsteel says 20 blocks in Ejipura unfit (19 Nov 2003) Times Of India.
EWS Quarters residents to get homes (16 June 2007) Times Of India.
BMP urged to reconstruct EWS quarters at Ejipura (Monday, Oct 30, 2006) The Hindu.
New shelter for 432 families (Monday, July 23, 2007) Deccan Herald.‘Construct more flats to relocate residents of EWS Quarters’ (Monday, Nov 27, 2006) The Hindu. I studied all these reports. When I spoke to the deprived people of EWS quarters I could understand that. The offers that given by the government and the BBMP were just words. That is the power of politics. Any time anybody (POLITICIANS) can give promises. I saw and understood the plight of the people. People who lost their homes are living in zinc sheds, it seems like a jail, no electricity, no toilets, no bathrooms. The wastes are accumulating here and there. The people cannot even breathe fresh air. I spoke the officials of the EWS. Their statements were absolutely contradictory. I saw the weeping of the people. This story is a heart-breaking one. I feel that this story can reveal the nexus between the politicians and the officials.
One thing is still remaining unanswered, who gave the permission to the Maverik Holdings and Investments Private Limited construct a business complex? In EWS quarters. The latest news is, they would acquire half of the plot to promote its business. The people protested against this. I saw the rowdies (goonads) in EWS. People complained to me that, these anti-social elements are the troops of Mr. X. Louis, president, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Youth Social Welfare Association. These gangsters always disturb the poor people. They tried to molest a lady in EWS quarters. She was weeping and she said her life is insecure here. The allocations of fund are still in absurd. There are some questions still remaining unanswered, why the demolition and reconstruction work is stopped, what is the role of Maverik Holdings and Investments Private Limited Company? What is the duty of Mr. X Louis and his ‘troops’ in EWS quarters?
I spoke with Mr. Faizel an youngster who lives in EWS (Faizel, Contact Number: 9980840631), Mrs. Vijay Lekshmi (9902981150), Mrs. Lissy, Mr. Akram, Mrs. Renu, she is a lecturer working in Oxford college, Bangalore (9980332240). These people are living in EWS quarters. I want to interview Mr. R.Ashok, the Health Minister of Karnataka state, Mrs. Thejaswani, MLA, Dr. S.Subramanya, Mayors, BBMP Commissioner, Mr.Nagaraj, BBMP Joint commissioner. The commissioner and joint commissioner did not give their interview. I tried to speak with the private secretary of the commissioner of BBMP. But he denied my questions and he skipped-off. The health minister and the other officials gave false promise to the EWS people. I want to hear all the clear statements from the above personalities about EWS quarters, why the reconstruction was stopped? I want know about the allocation of fund for the renovation of EWS.
I want to visualize this story after the interview with the politicians and the officials by arranging a public meeting of the people of EWS, Mr. X. Louis, other members of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Youth Social Welfare Association, MLA, Commissioner of BBMP, Joint Commissioner of BBMP, chief Engineers, in the presence of Media persons. (All the channels and the Press persons from Bangalore).
The above story is obviously an interesting one to the public, especially the local audience. Because they want to know what is happening their left and right. The locals gave the full support to me. This subject has a public interest. Development means it start from the grass root level, but what is happening here?
End of Matter