Elderly, mentally challenged inmates forced out by TMC
392 members of NGOs evicted without prior warning; centre was given to them by ex-civic commissioner in 2004 ………NILESH NIKADE
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) authorities forced out senior citizens and mentally challenged children from a welfare centre at Vartak nagar, which was meant for them.
The Samta Nagar Welfare Center, was awarded to two NGO’s — Suprabhat Senior Citizen’s Association and Jagruti Manch — by Sanjay Sethi, ex-commissioner of TMC in 2004.
Last year, the two organisations had taken its possession. But on Saturday, without any prior notice, the TMC sent trucks full of men to vacate the residents forcefully.
Three hundred and seventy two members of Suprabhat Senior Citizen’s Association and 20 mentally challenged students of Jagruti Manch were forced out of the center.
Both organisations conduct various welfare programs and seminars at the center. But on Saturday afternoon, officials of TMC and Public Works Department barged into the center and forced the members out.
Kamlakar Balse, 81 year old head of the Suprabhat said, “We were not given any explaination and were asked to leave. They told us that the center has not been officially handed over by the Public Works Department (PWD) to the TMC. Thus claiming our possession illegal. On May 29, 2007, the place was handed over to us in the presence of Ajit Pawar, irrigation minister for state. Why had the TMC not objected then?”
The senior citizens and mentally challenged students are now looking for some other shelter to conduct their activities. Jeetendra Bhanushali, another senior citizen said, “This center was the only place for us to spend some quality time. We used to celebrate all festivals here and it had become an important part of our life.”
The issue of handing over this center to these organisation was raised with TMC by some political party members. Thus, it is being alleged that the action was taken under the political pressure.
Nandkumar Jantre, TMC commissioner said, “It is not a political issue, but just an official formality pending. We will get the hand over procedure complete within a week and the members can come back to center then.”
The centre used to hold seminars, health check-ups and offer medical facilities to the members.
A senior citizen at the Samta Welfare centre at Vartak Nagar in Thane