‘Marginal, landless farmers affected’

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labour and funds…. They are using less cement than the required quantity for the construction of pillars and slabs. The construction material used is of not good quality.” every month. The contractors say that they have issues with grants and various other issues. We have reached out all officials possible but there is no response from the authorities. I don’t even know why exactly the construction stopped.”

Slum Janandolana said people living in slums will only vote for the party that accepts its demands for a better life.

Rangatanna, a slum-dweller from Tumakuru, said: “It’s going to be almost one year since my house construction work started. The construction is still at the pillar level. We live in a rented house. Contractors come up with reasons like unavailability of

Demands include a separate ministry integrated development of slums and slum dwellers, establish Slum People’s Development Corporation, guaranteed urban employment for slum dwellers, 3.36 lakh slum families should be given land ownership by purchasing title deeds, free house construction, privatized slums should be licensed, urban land bank policy should be implemented government schools should be empowered, privatization of district hospitals should be stopped, Karnataka Comprehensive slum development Act 2018 should be implemented, urban poverty rate should be reduced.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in his budget speech 2023-2024 said ownership certificates have already been provided to 1.14 lakh families staying in slum areas.

TOI reported, the government will hand over land ownership certificates to all the 3.36 lakh slum dweller families by the end of the year. hamsaveni.n@iijnm.org