Navi Mumbai News: MNS Launches Postcard Campaign In Vashi, Demands Price Cut For 26,000 CIDCO Lottery Homes

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has launched a postcard campaign in Vashi, demanding a reduction in the prices of 26,000 houses allotted under CIDCO’s housing lottery.

The protest follows allegations that the houses, advertised under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), are priced far beyond the reach of the middle class.

The campaign, led by MNS spokesperson and city president Gajanan Kale, began today at the Vashi Post Office, where hundreds of CIDCO lottery winners gathered to send postcards to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, ministers, MLAs, MPs, and senior CIDCO officials, urging them to lower the prices.

"Former CIDCO chairman Sanjay Shirsat had previously assured a 20-25% reduction in prices," said one of the protesters. The lottery winners reminded the government of this commitment and questioned how individuals earning ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per month could afford homes priced at ₹85 lakh. They also raised concerns over discrepancies in house sizes, alleging that while 323 sq. ft. homes were promised, only 290 sq. ft. units were being allotted.

The protesters warned that if the state government and CIDCO fail to lower the prices, the agitation would be intensified. They also announced plans to organize a large-scale "Injection Morcha" at CIDCO headquarters next week.

Several MNS leaders, including city secretary Vilas Ghone, Sachin Kadam, city joint secretary Abhijit Desai, and Vashi division president Sagar Vichare, participated in the protest alongside a large number of CIDCO lottery winners.