Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday alleged that the Maharashtra Government’s real intention behind introducing a regulatory framework for old “pagdi” system buildings is to evict their occupants from Mumbai and benefit landlords and builders, news agency PTI reported. He demanded that all tenants living in these structures be declared legal occupants and granted protection.

“There have been instances where buildings are in a dilapidated condition and they are trying to throw the occupants out. The announcement by the housing minister was made for landowners and builders,” Thackeray said at a press conference, adding, “They want to drive away lakhs of Mumbaikars living in these pagdi houses out of the city.”