Summary:
While preparation for the development plan of Mumbai demarcation has now started, the fishermen community is concerned whether their inclusion would be made in the slum dweller category. Over fifty thousand fishermen families residing in the city and in the Mumbai Metropolitan region, from a time before the government came into existence in city, would have ownership of the houses they are occupying. MLAs from city as well as from Thane, including MLAs Pratap Sarnaik, Sanjay Kelkar, Jitendra Avhad were raising this issue along with issues of old and dilapidated buildings in Thane areas. MLAs Ashish Shelar, Manisha Chaudhari, Yogesh Sagar, Prashant Thakur and Sanjay Kelkar had raised this issue trough calling attention motion. The decision would also be applicable to Thane and Palghar districts where fishermen are staying on collector land..