After the Congress led a successful protest at Azad Maidan on Wednesday against the proposed amendment of the Bombay Rent Act, 1999, the ruling BJP government has decided to do its bit. On Sunday, it will hold a public meeting at Marine Drive.

The proposed amendment will not only force residents to cough up exorbitant rents, but also make tenants of commercial outlets above 547 sq ft pay rents 500 times more rent. According to Viren Shah, head of Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, this hike will affect more than three lakh homes. There is rising suspicion that this is a ploy by the government to hand over the buildings to builders for redevelopment.