Medha Patkar likely to end fast on Saturday

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Noted social activist Medha Patkar, who is on fast to protest eviction of slum-dwellers from Golibar Slum in suburban Khar since May 20, is likely to end her protest on Saturday (May 28), with Maharashtra government agreeing to most of her demands.

Madhuresh Kumar, a member of National Association of Peoples' Movement and Patkar's associate, said here on Friday evening that Patkar would probably end the fast on Saturday morning.

"Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had called up Medha last night and almost agreed to all her demands. The government has agreed to constitute two new joint committees with the representatives of the civil society. One would look into Ganesh Kripa Housing society issue and would submit its report on June 15.

The second committee would investigate 15 slum areas where 3K clause of Maharashtra Slum Act has been used," Kumar said.

"We are awaiting a draft copy of GR for the committees tomorrow (Saturday)," he said.

Meanwhile, a late night statement issued by the government confirmed the development.

The statement said the Chief Minister and Patkar agreed that a committee headed by Justice H Suresh will go into the issues regarding alleged irregularities in the rehabilitation of members of Ganesh Kripa SRA Housing Society.

The committee will give recommendations by June 15, till then there will be no further demolitions.

Another committee, consisting of civil society members and government officials would enquire into other 10 to 15 Slum Rehabilitation Authority schemes where there are alleged irregularities, as per the statement.

Also, the existing government order prohibiting demolition of slums during the monsoon would be re-activated.

Following this agreement with the Chief Minister, the statement says, Patkar has come out with a list of 15 cases of alleged irregularities and also names of civil society members who would be on the committee inquiring into them.

The Government has accepted these, but Patkar says she has further demanded that the committee should have powers to stay projects.

"This is not acceptable," the statement says, adding that government representatives have conveyed this to Patkar.

Sources close to Patkar said that she has grown further weak due to the fasting and cannot stand without support.

The Government statement said that if necessary, she would be shifted to the hospital.