Slumdog families get 15-day ultimatum

Decide if you want flats, MHADA tells Rubina's and Azhar's families

Decide if you want flats, MHADA tells Rubina's and Azhar's families

Rubina's parents are dilly-dallying over accepting the MHADA homes offered to them. It is believed that they are tempted to accept, instead, the Santacruz West homes offered to them by the Jai Ho trust. Azharuddin's family is said to have already accepted the Jai Ho deal but Rubina's father wants a home in Bandra itself.

Child artist Azharuddin Ismailu00a0of Oscar winner film Slumdog Millionaire in a playful mood at his shanty, Bandra on Saturday; Below, Rubina Pic/NARENDRA DANGIYA

MHADA is giving them 180 sq ft (one room kitchen) flats each in Malwani, Malad. The Trust is giving a flat of nearly the same area in Santacruz west to Azhar's family and the search for a flat for Rubina is still on. The temptation of a flat in Santacruz is making Rubina's parents delay acceptance of the MHADA deal.

Shamim, Azhar's mother, says, "The trust flat is in Santacruz west near the sea and in a blue building. It is a one room kitchen with attached bathroom and toilet, on the first floor. The building is not too tall, it's nearly 6-7 storeyed.

This building also has space for car parking and also trees in the front of the house aur Amitabh ke bungley ke nazdeek hai," she emphasizes. When asked the name of the building, she says, "I do not know how to go there, nor do I know the name of the building as the trust people took us there in a vehicle."

Neerja Mattoo of Jai Ho trust does not divulge information either, "The flat is in Santacruz west and is near the sea. But I can't talk more."

The MHADA flat that is in Malwani sounds a better option, except for it being far from their current address. It is a new construction and with a mid-expensive granite kitchen platform. According to a close source, Azhar's family was reluctant to accept the MHADA flat, as they feared it would make them ineligible in some way for the trust flat. "Only after they got an assurance from the trust that they won't lose the trust flat if they accept the MHADA offer, they accepted the offer," said the source.

But now MHADA also has taken a strong stand and has set a deadline for the families. "In the next 15 days if they do not come to collect the allotment letter, we will revoke the allotment," said Amarjeet Singh Manhas, Chariman, Mumbai MHADA board. MHADA has offered them the flats under the Economically Weaker Section.

But unlike the trust's deal of both the flats, in MHADA, if the families accept the trust's flat first, then they won't get the MHADA flat. "First they have to take the MHADA flat, then they can own any number of houses," said Manhas.

Location cost
At market price a 180 sq ft flat in Malad will cost nearly Rs 7.5 lakh. At the rate of Rs 4,000-6,000 per sq ft. Whereas the same area in Santacruz west will cost nearly Rs 24-25 lakh with rate Rs 13,000 per sq ft.