Go forth and multiply in Punchayet flats

Date

August 30, 2009

Post by

arZan

 

By: Alisha Coelho for Mid_Day

Bombay Parsi Punchayet hopes its new scheme to give priority in housing allocation to engaged couples with a wedding date will bear fruit

In a desperate attempt to boost numbers and save the community from impending extinction, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) will give first priority in housing allocation to Parsi couples who are engaged and have fixed a date for their nuptials.
The move reflects a concerted attempt at providing financial incentives to encourage procreation, unlike the run-of-the-mill awareness programmes that were the norm in the past.

1,200 waiting
"Couples who are engaged and have a marriage date will jump up the waiting list," said BPP chairman Dr Dinshaw Mehta.

As of now, over 1,200 people are waiting for flats to be allocated. "Our intention is to encourage them to have children and what could be more important for starting a family than having a roof over your head?" pointed out Dr Mehta.
The BPP has around 5,000 flats under its helm and will add approximately 2,000 more.
Third child
This is however not the only measure that the punchayet has taken this year.
"We’ve also increased the monthly stipend triple-fold to every couple who has a third child, from the existing Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000. The increased stipend comes into effect for children born after April.
We believe it will help bring up the child better and so far, there have been seven applications for the scheme," added Mehta.
Punchayet member Arnavaz Mistry also said that a stipend was now introduced for couples with two children.
"We have also introduced a stipend of Rs 1,000 to every Parsi couple with a second child.
It may seem like a small amount, but we’re hoping that more are encouraged to have children and we are more than willing to contribute towards the family’s well being," she said.
45,000
Parsis in Mumbai
1,200
Parsis waiting list to be allocated homes

26 Comments

  1. JAMSHEED WRITER

    WHAT FOR A “STUDENT”??

  2. JAMSHEED WRITER

    WHAT FOR A “STUDENT”??

  3. Roshan Tata

    With the panchayat coffers full is Rs. 3000/- going to be too little too late to encourage copules to have a thrid child? With todays prices for everything sky rocketing not to mention the high cost of a good education it seems so.

  4. Roshan Tata

    With the panchayat coffers full is Rs. 3000/- going to be too little too late to encourage copules to have a thrid child? With todays prices for everything sky rocketing not to mention the high cost of a good education it seems so.

  5. Siloo Kapadia

    Anythig but allowing intermarriage. The BPP is really off course.

  6. Siloo Kapadia

    Anythig but allowing intermarriage. The BPP is really off course.

  7. Religious but Rational

    Has BPP undertaken a survey of the occupants of buildings under them and asceratained how many flats are occupied by one or two old infirm Parsees who have to depend on the mercy of their servants and live under constant fear.Such persons would be more than willing to surrender their tenacies/flats if proper, well maintained Senior Citizen’s Home facility is provided which is compatible to their existing living style. Besides, encashment of tenancy will provide such elderly with financial support to cover for their health. I am sure at least 150 flats can be got freed if a realistic approach is taken for a Senior Citizen’s Home in City proper, preferably adjacent to a Fire Temple.

  8. Religious but Rational

    Has BPP undertaken a survey of the occupants of buildings under them and asceratained how many flats are occupied by one or two old infirm Parsees who have to depend on the mercy of their servants and live under constant fear.Such persons would be more than willing to surrender their tenacies/flats if proper, well maintained Senior Citizen’s Home facility is provided which is compatible to their existing living style. Besides, encashment of tenancy will provide such elderly with financial support to cover for their health. I am sure at least 150 flats can be got freed if a realistic approach is taken for a Senior Citizen’s Home in City proper, preferably adjacent to a Fire Temple.

  9. Kaio

    The BPP should give Rs 1000 for one child, Rs 3000 for 2, Rs 5000 for 3 and Rs 8000 for 4 children.

  10. Kaio

    The BPP should give Rs 1000 for one child, Rs 3000 for 2, Rs 5000 for 3 and Rs 8000 for 4 children.

  11. Ronny

    I want to see Parsis having more than two children in present day.

  12. homi farokh mistry

    It is too litle too late.

    In case if the C L O S E D flats of Parsi Colonies are to be noted and if statistics are available, one can assure our BPP, that a good number of couples may be adjusted in these C L O S E D flats.

    Surprising as to no one from our commmunity, has ever tried to take up this matter, with BPP as to

    HOW MANY OF THE TRUST FLATS ARE NOT IN USE,and

    HOW MANY OF THEM ARE KEPT CLOSED,

    because the allottee does not stay there .

    Can somebody take up this matter with our esteemed Trustees of B P P.

    Homi.

  13. homi farokh mistry

    It is too litle too late.

    In case if the C L O S E D flats of Parsi Colonies are to be noted and if statistics are available, one can assure our BPP, that a good number of couples may be adjusted in these C L O S E D flats.

    Surprising as to no one from our commmunity, has ever tried to take up this matter, with BPP as to

    HOW MANY OF THE TRUST FLATS ARE NOT IN USE,and

    HOW MANY OF THEM ARE KEPT CLOSED,

    because the allottee does not stay there .

    Can somebody take up this matter with our esteemed Trustees of B P P.

    Homi.

  14. Ronny

    The so called CLOSED FLATS were allotted to those persons who were so called poor some years back.
    Today, either they have bought some other flat or moved abroad. The idea of holding on to the flats is to encash if asked to surrender. Forgetting the fact that that the same were allotted to them for FREE.
    The question arising is that WHAT IS BPP DOING ?
    The answer is that BPP does try to take over the flat either by settlement or by filing Legal Suit.
    Depends upon case to case.
    It is high time people must try to find facts rather then complaining. Besides, no one wants to question such people who keep their flats locked if they think that flats of BPP is their right as beneficiary.

  15. Ronny

    Parents should know their limits.
    They want to educate their Student in costly schools and apply in Charity for the fees. That is shameful. They should know their limits. The idea is just to show off that their children are getting educated in BIG SCHOOLS suppressing the fact that they have lowed down in Charitable Trusts.
    Who knows about a Parsi rickshaw driver who has 4 kids and earns Rs. 7,000– per month ?
    He never grumbled

  16. Ronny

    The so called CLOSED FLATS were allotted to those persons who were so called poor some years back.
    Today, either they have bought some other flat or moved abroad. The idea of holding on to the flats is to encash if asked to surrender. Forgetting the fact that that the same were allotted to them for FREE.
    The question arising is that WHAT IS BPP DOING ?
    The answer is that BPP does try to take over the flat either by settlement or by filing Legal Suit.
    Depends upon case to case.
    It is high time people must try to find facts rather then complaining. Besides, no one wants to question such people who keep their flats locked if they think that flats of BPP is their right as beneficiary.

  17. Ronny

    Parents should know their limits.
    They want to educate their Student in costly schools and apply in Charity for the fees. That is shameful. They should know their limits. The idea is just to show off that their children are getting educated in BIG SCHOOLS suppressing the fact that they have lowed down in Charitable Trusts.
    Who knows about a Parsi rickshaw driver who has 4 kids and earns Rs. 7,000– per month ?
    He never grumbled

  18. homi farokh mistry

    Dear Rony,
    The matter as referred to, needs to be tackled, Voluntarily by each of the family members, whose flat/s, have been locked and not under occupation.
    This is a moral responsibility of the head of the family, to just Surrender such flats, for the well being of our community, so that some number games can be achieved, if not more .
    Secondly, it is BPP who has to take initiative and take help from the Colony members first to identify and then to prove that the concerned person is NOT LIABLE to WITHHOLD such flats in the colony as he/she does not stay there and see that these Closed Flats are allocated by BPP, under such circumstances.
    Homi

  19. homi farokh mistry

    Dear Rony,
    The matter as referred to, needs to be tackled, Voluntarily by each of the family members, whose flat/s, have been locked and not under occupation.
    This is a moral responsibility of the head of the family, to just Surrender such flats, for the well being of our community, so that some number games can be achieved, if not more .
    Secondly, it is BPP who has to take initiative and take help from the Colony members first to identify and then to prove that the concerned person is NOT LIABLE to WITHHOLD such flats in the colony as he/she does not stay there and see that these Closed Flats are allocated by BPP, under such circumstances.
    Homi

  20. Ronny

    Thanks.

  21. Ronny

    Thanks.

  22. homi farokh mistry

    Absolutely right,but then BPP is to be blamed for such mess.

    Some trustee gentleman, needs to take up the issue with the fellow trustee/s and try to find a lasting solution, atleast on humanitarian grounds, if need be.

    One has to keep in mind, the dwindling number of Parsi population, as on date, and se if something can be done.

  23. homi farokh mistry

    Absolutely right,but then BPP is to be blamed for such mess.

    Some trustee gentleman, needs to take up the issue with the fellow trustee/s and try to find a lasting solution, atleast on humanitarian grounds, if need be.

    One has to keep in mind, the dwindling number of Parsi population, as on date, and se if something can be done.

  24. Ronny

    Easy to blame.
    Ask Parsi couples why do they don’t want more kids
    Ask Parsi girls why do they make so much fuss when selecting Parsi boys
    The problem lies within Community members
    One cannot always hurl stones on Charitable Trusts for everything.
    There is a thing called SELF RELIANCE
    What are other Communities doing ?
    Learn from them. They don’t have BPP.

  25. Ronny

    Easy to blame.
    Ask Parsi couples why do they don’t want more kids
    Ask Parsi girls why do they make so much fuss when selecting Parsi boys
    The problem lies within Community members
    One cannot always hurl stones on Charitable Trusts for everything.
    There is a thing called SELF RELIANCE
    What are other Communities doing ?
    Learn from them. They don’t have BPP.

  26. Ronny

    I want to see Parsis having more than two children in present day.