'Give Marathi manoos cheap homes in city'

MNS MLA also exhorts Marathi builders to accept resultant losses

MNS MLA also exhorts Marathi builders to accept resultant losses

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is taking its 'Marathi manoos' welfare agenda a step further.

The Maharashtrian Builders Association, a lobby of exclusively Marathi builders, met at the Matunga Gymkhana last night.

Before the meeting began, expelled MNS MLA Ram Kadam said the agenda would be allocating houses for the Marathi manoos within city limits.

"Marathi Manoos of Mumbai have to be housed in the city, they should not have to go to Kalyan, Thane or Dombivli. We need houses for the people of the city.

I will ask the builders attending the conference to make houses for the aam Marathi aadmi," said Kadam, who is also a builder.

Expelled MNS MLA Ram Kadam wants Marathi manoos to be accommodated within city limits

Community Welfare

A majority of the Marathi population, however, lives in chawls in Lalbaug, Parel, Chinchpokli and old buildings in Dadar, Girgaum and other central areas.

Though construction is on the upswing in these areas, the apartments are unaffordable for the populace.

Said Kadam, "Finance won't be a problem, if the builders allot every Marathi manoos a house in Mumbai at cheap rates. The builders should work for the welfare of the community and manage the losses."

Suresh Haware, president of the builders' association and owner, Haware Builders, said before the start of the meeting, "Most Marathi builders are first-time businessmen.

We want to groom them and make them aware of how to grow their business." At the time of going to press, the meeting had not yet come to an end.