(http://theworldnow.com/cal/) 

Religious of Mary Immaculate (Vicenta Maria Social Service Society) have been working in India since 1951. They are a charitable Organization totally dependant on donations and run on non-profit basis. Beneficiaries of this Society are the poor and needy girl child, young girls and women from marginalized sections of society, belonging to various backward communities (S.C., S.T., O.B.C., etc.). The orphanage is being run for girls irrespective of caste and creed and also reach out to young immigrant women hailing from lower income groups from remote villages of India who come to the cities in search of Jobs or to Study! 

At Regina Pacis, there is: 

- Children’s Home called “The Vicenta Maria Children’s Home”.

- “Regina Pacis Convent High School” consisting of the Day school that runs from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30p.m.

- On the same premises we have the Night High School from 4.00p.m. to 8.15p.m. and this school is meant for children who, because of various circumstances such as poverty, lack of opportunity, or the prior necessity to drop out of traditional schooling, have not been able to begin their education at the right age or have had their education truncated. So we have children of 11 years and more beginning at the primary level.

- The Open School for those who have completed 14 years of age and are capable of going directly to the Xth standard through the National Open School. Among these are many who both work and study and most of them are employed as domestic help.

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Started as a home for destitute girls, Regina Pacis School in Byculla needs a new lease of life. They are currently on a 99-year lease land belonging to the Government. A few months ago, the Society received a notice informing them of New Government Policy, according to which they have 2 options:

1. Pay Rs. 20 Lakhs per annum (for the first five years) after which the rates will be revised

2. Pay Rs. 10 Crores for the occupancy Right

The establishment is one of 480 properties in the city that have been notified by the administration that their contract with the government has run out, and they should either start paying a yearly rent or purchase the estates at one go. The notices were sent by the city collector’s office last month. Two more lessees from SoBo have denoted the purpose of agreement as educational.

The institute says it had received a similar notice in 2002 and had requested the government to renew the contract period, but there was no response. The sudden notice of lease termination has come as a shock, representatives lament.

When MiD DAY visited the school, a functionary, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We have appealed revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat and have also planned a meeting with the CM to discuss the issue. We have also sent a request to the parents to generously donate whatever amount possible to save the school.

We have also gone on social media and WhatsApp, asking people for help. Since most of the kids are from underprivileged sections, it is highly improbable that they would be able to assist us accumulate a vast sum like Rs 20 lakh every year, let alone the Rs 10 crore required to obtain ownership of the land. We run a school and a hostel for girls. We hope the government appreciates our plight and helps us. Till now, we were paying Rs 1,000 as annual rent.”

Rs 10 cr
One-time payment government expects from the school against partial ownership of the land

Rs 20 lakh
Annual rent the school will have to pay now if it decides to renew the lease

Parents circulate angry messages
On the other hand, irate parents have been forwarding fiery posts through SMS and social media. “Shameless government. I have attended a meeting at Regina Pacis Girls School, which also runs an orphanage, a night school for maids and a girls’ hostel. I also realised that the school gives preference to poor children. Shocking to see that the school has received a notice of 99-year lease termination. Now to continue the school they have to pay Rs 20 lakh yearly, or buy the land for Rs 10 crore. On one hand the government is pressuring girls to take up education, and on the other it is asking for Rs 10 crore, which is pittance in front of scams like 2G and coalgate involving shameless government ministers. Is it not possible for the government to extend the lease for the sake of 500 schoolgirls and orphanage?” reads one of them.

Collector speaks
“We have sent notices to at least 480 leaseholders in the city. The schools that are on the list have been asked to renew the agreement as per the government policy formed in December 2012. It’s up to them, whether they want to recommence the lease, or acquire the land on occupancy class II basis (means not full ownership). The rates depend on the area and the nature of property. We have provided the estimate to the schools in their notices,” said city collector Chandrashekhar Oak. 

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2013/aug/280813-sobo-school-asks-students-to-pay-up-as-lease-expires.htm

If you do wish to donate, please do so by Cash/ Cheque, in favour of "VICENTA MARIA SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY", towards the Property Improvement Fund. You can also avail of the benefits of 80-G Tax Exemtption Certificate. Receipts will be issued. 

This is not an ordinary eviction of slums built on encroached land. In fact, slums built prior to 1995 have actually been regularized and provided alternate accommodation. The law-abiding residents of Regina Pacis are at fault because they pay property taxes, because they paid stamp duty and registration charges.

When the lease expired in 2002, and the renewal papers were filed, why wasn't a response recieved then? 11 years later, due to CHANGE IN POLICY, how can one collect this amount of funds? If we do collect the amount to pay off this year's monies (inspite of being a Non-Profit-Organization), what of the next four years? 

It is our appeal to the Chief Minister to renew the 99-year lease and excuse the Society from this amount of money! We do our part to try and #MakeMumbaiSafe, please don't take this away from us .. 

Thank you immensely in anticipation for your generous response. God Bless You! And please keep praying!