Maharashtra govt to provide houses at ₹2.5 lakh to slum-dwellers

As per details, the decision will benefit more than 12 lakh families living in slums in Mumbai.

“Eligible slum-dwellers will be entitled for a house at ₹2.5 lakh. The scheme under SRA will extend to slum-dwellers living in the city from the year 2000 to 2011,» said government resolution issued Thursday.

“We have kept our promise. It has always been our endeavour to provide houses to all segments including slum-dwellers,» said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“The housing for slums cut-off date was 2000. During my tenure as CM in 2018, we brought in legislation to protect the slum colonies in existence in Mumbai up to 2011. However, as per the court directives, it was mandatory to provide houses to slum-dwellers at nominal rates instead of giving it for free. In accordance with court orders, the government took the decision to make houses available to slum-dwellers at ₹2.5 lakh,» he said.

Fadnavis even added that he slum-dwellers will not be financially overburdened as there is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in existence.

Welcoming the move, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said, “It feels like Diwali in Mumbai. The Shinde-Fadnavis government’s decision shows the political will of the BJP and the Shiv Sena to extend welfare schemes for the uplift of the poor and slum-dwellers. It also is a promise that we made and have fulfilled at the first given opportunity.»

Earlier in 2018, when Fadnavis was chief minister, the decision to give low-cost houses to slum-dwellers was taken. But it was put on hold in 2019 when the Maha Vikas Aghadi government came to power.

Those who resided in slums from 2000 to 2011 and those who have legal evidence to prove it will get pucca homes under the slum rehabilitation scheme. The scheme will be implemented under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority Act.

However, former housing minister Jitendra Awadh of the NCP said the MVA did not stall the housing scheme. “To the contrary, a sub-committee was constituted to determine the price of houses. It was finalised at ₹2.5 lakh,» he said.

With agency inputs.