The Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is set to introduce a single-window clearance system to streamline the self-redevelopment process for housing societies across the state. This move aims to remove bureaucratic hurdles and facilitate faster approvals for redevelopment projects undertaken by cooperative housing societies.
The announcement was made by Fadnavis on Monday, where he confirmed that the government would revive the earlier-proposed single-window system. This system was initially introduced through a Government Resolution (GR) on September 13, 2019, during his previous tenure as the Chief Minister. The resolution proposed an organized approval mechanism for self-redevelopment of buildings that are 30 years or older.
Formation of a Self-Redevelopment Cell
To further simplify the approval process, the state government plans to establish a self-redevelopment cell. This body will act as a single-point contact for all approvals required for such projects. By reducing delays caused by dealing with multiple government departments, this initiative aims to promote ease of doing business and ensure transparency in the redevelopment process.
Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, the expert director of the Maharashtra State Housing Federation, welcomed this decision. He stated that the single-window system would not only accelerate the development process but also safeguard the rights of citizens involved in self-redevelopment projects.
Growing Demand for Self-Redevelopment
According to members of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Federation, there is significant interest in self-redevelopment. Statistics indicate that around 8,000 to 10,000 cooperative housing societies in Maharashtra, primarily in Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, are actively considering self-redevelopment.
Suhas Patwardhan, chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Federation, pointed out that Maharashtra has approximately 1.25 lakh registered housing societies, and nearly 50% of them are contemplating redevelopment. However, many societies have been reluctant to proceed due to the complex clearance process involving multiple government agencies.
The introduction of a single-window approval mechanism is expected to encourage more societies to opt for self-redevelopment, thereby transforming urban landscapes and improving living conditions for residents.
Government Support for Financing Self-Redevelopment
Chief Minister Fadnavis assured the Maharashtra State Housing Federation that the government would facilitate funding for self-redevelopment projects through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
In an earlier proposal, the state government suggested providing 4% subsidized loans to housing societies opting for self-redevelopment. Advocate Parab reiterated that this financial assistance would significantly reduce the financial burden on societies and encourage more projects to move forward.
Additional Measures for Housing Societies
During a meeting with representatives of the Maharashtra State Housing Federation, the Chief Minister responded positively to several key recommendations, including:
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Implementation of the July 2019 Order: Ensuring that housing societies benefit from the provisions outlined in the earlier resolution.
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Publication of Rules under the 2019 MCS Act Amendments: The government plans to clarify legal procedures for cooperative housing societies under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019.
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Introduction of a Single-Window System for Deemed Conveyance: This will ensure faster processing of property title approvals, further simplifying property ownership formalities.
Use of WhatsApp for Project Approvals
In an innovative step towards digital governance, the Maharashtra government plans to facilitate project approvals through WhatsApp. This would enable faster communication, document submission, and tracking of self-redevelopment proposals in real time.
During the event, Chief Minister Fadnavis also launched various publications related to self-redevelopment, deemed conveyance, cooperative laws, and rainwater harvesting. These publications aim to educate housing societies on their rights and responsibilities in the redevelopment process.
Impact of the Single-Window System
The reintroduction of the single-window clearance system is expected to have a significant impact on Maharashtra’s urban development:
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Faster Approval Process: Societies will no longer face unnecessary delays caused by dealing with multiple departments.
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Transparency and Accountability: A dedicated self-redevelopment cell will ensure smooth operations and reduce corruption.
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Encouragement for More Societies: With simplified approvals and financial support, more societies will be encouraged to take up self-redevelopment projects.
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Improved Infrastructure: Self-redevelopment allows societies to modernize their buildings, leading to better infrastructure and enhanced living standards.
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Economic Growth: With thousands of redevelopment projects in the pipeline, this move will boost the real estate sector, generate employment, and contribute to Maharashtra’s economy.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra government’s decision to revive the single-window clearance system for self-redevelopment is a major step toward simplifying housing redevelopment processes in the state. With strong government backing, financing options, and a streamlined approval mechanism, thousands of cooperative housing societies can now move forward with confidence.
The self-redevelopment model, with adequate financial and procedural support, has the potential to transform the urban landscape of Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and other cities in Maharashtra. By eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and offering subsidized loans, the government is not only promoting ease of business but also ensuring a sustainable and inclusive development model for the future.
