Monday, July 03, 2006

How long will the madness continue

About a hundred people died in the struggle to win a separate
Maharashtra out of Bombay.

How many lives will have to be sacrificed to carve a
free Bombay from Maharashtra.

6 comments:

R Pereira said...

Why does Bombay have to be freed from Maharashtra?

F-cubed said...

because as long as the city is controlled by people who owe their allegience to places like Latur, Parbhani, & Vidharbha there is no hope for RESPONSIBLE Development.

Viraf

R Pereira said...

This is an old issue. I remember way back in the 80's, there were complaints that the city commissioners were coming from the state level. The issue seems to resurface around the monsoons, because of the flooding problems.

Bombay does have some autonomy though. For example, the Land Ceiling Act which was repealed in Maharashtra, still exists in Bombay.

The demolishing of Dharavi (usually followed by "Asia's largest slum")made the news here.

aristera says said...

i completely sencond you on this one, V.

F-cubed said...

The Bombay Land Ceiling Act (and its sister the Rent Control Act) are in fact proof of the fact that the City is not in control of its destiny.

Repeal of these laws would have to be done by the State Assembly and they just could not be bothered.

It really is irrelevant to them that Funds for developing the City promised by the Centre are contingent on the repeal of these stupid laws.

As far as Slum control is considered again here while the world press give prime coverage to the Buldozers they completely give a skip to the attempts by the politicians to protect and in fact enhance their vote banks by changinng the cut-off date for rehab and legalising these illegal encroachments that happens every time an election comes close.

Bombay needs to give up on dreams of going the Shanghai way.

A more realistic dream should be New Delhi. Union Territory or seperate State.

Viraf

Wild Reeds said...

I completely agree Viraf. Statehood for Bombay I say. Enough is enough.