As BMC polls near, BJP again seeks rehab for first-floor slumdwellers in Mumbai
Mumbai: BJP has again started lobbying to make slumdwellers living on the first floor of hutments eligible for free or affordable housing. Officials said the proposal will soon be sent to the state cabinet for approval.
If cleared, said political observers, it will be seen as an attempt by BJP to woo voters ahead of BMC polls.
In Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes, only families living on the ground floor of slums are eligible for free housing or under the
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
(PMAY).by paying Rs 2.5 lakh. Those living on the first floor are not eligible even if they are living there from before 2000.
Following former BJP corporator Vinod Mishra's demand for rehab of first-floor slumdwellers, Mumbai Suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday held a review meeting and asked officials to submit a proposal before the cabinet.
"The meeting was positive," Shelar told TOI. "There are many legal chawls in declared slum areas that are ground-plus one or two structures. These first- or second-floor residents will be made eligible in SRA schemes.
As far as other slums are concerned, the first-floor structures will be surveyed and will be made eligible for PMAY, as per rules."
In 2023, a govt resolution (GR) was issued fixing the cost for all such post-2000 beneficiaries at Rs 2.5 lakh (estimated construction cost).
"Under the slum protection policy, if a structure came up between 2001 and 2011 and if the resident is able to produce documents to show that the hut existed anytime during this period, she/he will be eligible for a rehab flat on the payment of Rs 2.5 lakh. If a decision is taken, then this same format will be applicable for those living on the first floor," said a senior official.
Pointing out that Housing for All is the PM's dream and the Devendra Fadanvis-led Mahayuti govt has been positive about this initiative, Mishra said: "Officials said the file was with the finance department and will be soon placed before the state cabinet.
Once that is done, a GR will be issued."
In his letter to Shelar, Mishra stated: "We had drawn attention to this issue in 2023 too. The SRA CEO had submitted a proposal to the housing department...recommending to include the ineligible residents of the first floor in slum rehab schemes. The CM also took a positive stand...in the legislative assembly. The housing department conducted a thorough investigation...and verification of relevant documents was completed.
It was concluded that there is no objection...however, the final approval and GR are still pending. If this decision is taken, it will strengthen state govt's role."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Govt. to hold exhibition on Emergency on June 25
The Delhi government will organise an exhibition in Connaught Place's Central Park on June 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Delhi's Art and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra said on Friday. 'This exhibition is being held to highlight the background of the Emergency and its impact on democracy,' said the Minister. The exhibition will commence at 10 a.m. and feature documents and photographs related to the period. 'During this period, the Constitution was sidelined, citizens' rights were violated, and press freedom was suppressed,' he added. Terming the Emergency as the 'darkest chapter' in India's history, Mr. Mishra said, 'It is essential for the new generation to be informed about what happened on June 25, 1975, and how the Constitution of India was undermined.' The 21-month Emergency from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977 was declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In a statement, the Delhi government said it will support a series of cultural and intellectual programmes, including seminars, art and photo exhibitions, to mark the occasion.
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Rs 8,000-cr plan in works to clean Yamuna, fix drainage: Delhi CM Gupta
'The Delhi government is implementing a multi-pronged and phased plan for Yamuna rejuvenation, which includes drain treatment, sewerage network expansion and setting up of modern Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs),' the chief minister said in a statement. Gupta held a meeting with Water Minister Parvesh Verma and top Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials to review the work underway to fix the drainage and sewer system in the city. New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Delhi government is currently working on more than 300 projects, allocated an outlay of Rs 8,000 crore, to clean Yamuna River and solve the city's sewage woes, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday. In the meeting, according to the statement, she reviewed a 45-point action plan, which included capacity enhancement and upgradation work at existing STPs located in Yamuna Vihar, Okhla, Keshopur, Vasant Kunj, Ghitorni, Mehrauli, and Molarbandh under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme and one each in Nilothi and Pappan Kalan. Gupta directed officials to replace old pipelines in phases. 'Many parts of Delhi are still operating on decades-old water and sewer pipelines, which are no longer sustainable due to rapid urban growth and increasing demand. Officials have been instructed to undertake phase-wise planning and use modern technology to replace old infrastructure,' she said. According to officials, the 303 drainage projects involve redevelopment of major drains, permanent solutions for waterlogging, installation of modern pumps, de-silting of drains, expansion of stormwater systems, and scientific drainage network management. Gupta said she will personally visit the Yamuna every month to check the progress in its cleaning. She also claimed that Delhi will soon become a 'model' city in terms of equitable water distribution under the Centre's Har Ghar Nal Se Jal initiative. Verma stated that strict directions have been issued for immediate action against the illegal discharge of untreated sewage and industrial waste in the city. 'This is a crisis that can no longer be ignored. Delhi cannot afford to let untreated sewage flow into its lifelines. No polluter will be spared. We will act and act fast,' he said. PTI SSM VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Demolitions since 2007 result in Chandigarh administration reclaiming 500 acres of land
With the latest demolition of Adarsh Colony in Sector 53 and 54 on Thursday and the action on 18 other illegal colonies, the Chandigarh Administration has reclaimed 500 acres of its land from the drive that began in 2007. According to official records, the demolition drive against the illegal colonies established in Chandigarh began 18 years ago, when on May 6, 2007, a large chunk of slums in Janta Colony, Sector 25, was demolished along with Kumhar Colony, as part of the city's slum-free campaign. The demolition led to the removal of approximately 2,500 shanties and displaced around 5,000 residents. The 10-acre area was reclaimed by the UT Administration from this action. While 2.5 acres of land was cleared at SBS Colony in Mauli Jagran in 2010, 40 acres from the demolition of Rajiv Colony and 55 acres from Colony Number 5 in 2013. In 2014, 89 acres of land was reclaimed with the demolition of Kalyan Colony and 65 acres from Ambedkar Colony. The same year also saw the demolition of Nehru Colony, Pandit Colony, and Kuldeep Colony, with 38 acres of land taken back by the administration. Another 30 acres of land each was cleared from the demolition of Majdoor Colony and Madrasi Colony, while 50 acres from razing Kabari Colony in 2014. With the demolition of Gursagar Colony in Maloya and Lal Bahadur Shastri Colony in Palsora in 2016, 3 and 20 acres of land respectively were reclaimed by the administration. In 2022, 65 acres of land was recovered with demolition of Colony Number 4, and 6 acres of land from Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area in 2025. On June 19, the Administration took back 12 acres of land with the demolition of Adarsh Colony. Following the demolition of Adarsh Colony, only one slum — Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 — will remain, which has about 300 shanties spread across four acres of government land, valued at Rs 150 crore. Around 28,000 rehabilitated since 2006 In 2006, the UT administration launched a rehabilitation initiative under the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, earmarking 356 acres for the construction of 25,728 flats intended to house 23,841 families from 18 unauthorised colonies. According to an official, the Chandigarh Administration has rehabilitated around 28,000 people, who had been living in the unauthorised colonies, since 2006 under the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) scheme. Teams formed for keeping vigil on encroachment On the encroachment of the Government lands in Chandigarh, Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh said that, 'teams have been made and each of its offices has been assigned 2-3 sectors'. 'They shall report on a weekly basis about any encroachment in their area,' he added. The Chandigarh DC has clarified that the demolition drive is not just about reclaiming land but sending a clear message that illegal encroachments will not be tolerated. 'The reclaimed land will now be utilized in accordance with planned urban development goals to benefit the larger community, ' Yadav added.
