The Majlis Bachao Tahreek on Monday announced that it would work hard to restore the dignity of Old City of Hyderabad.
Addressing a public meeting at Ganga Nagar Nala in Bhavani Nagar on the concluding day of election campaign, MBT’s Yakutpura candidate Majeedullah Khan Farhat said that the Old City or the ‘real Hyderabad’ was was subjected to continuous discrimination by the successive governments due to the negligence of Majlis-e-Itteahdul Muslimeen leadership. He said the Old City residents were forced to live in miserable conditions. By calling it as “Old City”, the successive governments treated this part of the State as an antique which just need to be preserved in its original form. Therefore, no serious efforts were ever made to add civic amenities and infrastructure to the ones that already existed 66 years ago.
“The Old City people” or “Puranay Shaher Kay Log” were branded as illiterates, backward or those who fight with others on trivial issues. Addressing a meeting at Barkas Ground on Monday, MBT President and Chandrayangutta candidate Dr Khayam Khan said that no developmental projects were started in the Old City leading to a rise in unemployment. Insufficient and bad condition of roads consistently eroded the major economic activity of the city to less congested markets in new city. With a majority of people living below poverty line, they could not withstand the fast pace of economic growth and development on the other side of Musi River. More than 90 per cent of people depended on unorganised sectors to earn their livelihood. Over the last six decades, the economic graph of the Old City residents remained in red zone with no signs of change or improvement. This economic imbalance gave an advantage to the politicians who played the communal card to keep the poor resident busy in fighting with each other.
Farhat Khan held the MIM leadership solely responsible for the backwardness and bad branding of the Old City. Besides ignoring the welfare of poor, the MIM did nothing to address the concerns of the middle-class people. It never raised voice against the banks and other institutions who blacklisted the areas of Old City. Being a resident of Old City makes an applicant ineligible to get a loan or credit card. He/she is always viewed with suspicion just because he resides in real Hyderabad. Although the Circle 4 of the GHMC is among the top in payment of Property Tax, a wrong impression has been created that people of Old City does not pay taxes or bills for electricity and water.
The MIM leaders have conspired with the managements of private educational institutions to keep the government schools in bad shape. They remained silent on the deteriorating conditions of government schools and their falling standards. This forced the people to admit their children in private schools who charged exorbitant fee. Similarly, no attention was paid on public healthcare.
The MBT leaders promised that they would ensure social security and end religious discrimination. Development will be ensured in all the areas by forcing the government agencies to release adequate funds. A ward-wise report will be prepared and submitted to the government seeking funds for specific needs of that ward in a division. Safe drinking water, proper supply of electricity, better roads, up-to-date drainage system, functional storm water drains, perfect street lightings and other required infrastructure will be a reality.
Representation will be made at the higher level to the Reserve Bank of India, Central Government and State Government to ensure that all public sector and private sector banks grant loans to the Old City residents, especially the minorities, they said.
The MBT leaders also promised to weed out the private and illegal money lenders from the Old City. The small traders will be linked to the regular banks wherein they can avail small loans to fulfill their needs. Farhat Khan promised to set up 150 schools in the next five years in Yakutpura constituency.
Farhat Khan also refuted allegations that he was contesting the elections at the behest of BJP. He said that the MIM leaders were spreading baseless rumours against him due to the fear of defeat in Yakutpura and Chandrayangutta constituencies. He said that the MIM leaders did not react to his challenge for an open debate on the issue of Old City’s development and they did not came forward to come to Mecca Masjid last Friday to announce donations of all their assets for the community.
The MBT leaders said that about 23 per cent of the voters in Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency are first time voters. Further, another 10 per cent voters are aged between 23 and 30 years. The MBT is quite confident that the people of Yakutpura and Chandrayangutta constituencies, especially the 33 per cent young voters will bring a change in the Old City. (INN)