The Housing Department of Maharashtra has launched a one-time Abhay Scheme under a Government Resolution (GR) dated October 15, 2024, aimed at addressing long-stalled slum rehabilitation schemes in the Thane Municipal Corporation area. The scheme is designed to regularize the transfer, purchase, or sale of slums that have occurred after the release of Annexure-II for these projects, with the ultimate goal of restarting 29 Slum Rehabilitation Schemes in Thane that have remained stalled for years.
Background of the Abhay Scheme
The Abhay Scheme was initiated due to the significant delays in slum rehabilitation projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) area. Many slum rehabilitation schemes have been pending for more than 15 to 20 years, during which time many slum dwellers listed in the final Annexure-II have either passed away or sold their slums. These transfers were often done unofficially, leaving the new slum holders without legal recognition in the official Annexure-II list. As a solution, the Abhay Scheme allows slum dwellers who purchased or sold slums through non-inheritance transfers to regularize their status and be included in Annexure-II.
Key Features of the Abhay Scheme
The Abhay Yojana applies to slum rehabilitation schemes that were stalled before January 1, 2011, and aims to regularize slum transfers that have occurred since the release of Annexure-II. The following are the main provisions under the scheme:
- Mutual transfers of slums: The scheme covers cases where slum dwellers have transferred, sold, or bought slums (except for transfers through inheritance) after the final Annexure-II was issued.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, the new slum holder must have been residing in the slum for at least one year after the issuance of Annexure-II. Additionally, the slum must still exist, and the competent authority will verify both the residence and existence of the slum through a site inspection.
- Payment of fees: The scheme requires slum dwellers to pay both an occupancy transfer fee and a regularization charge of ₹25,000 for resident slum dwellers and ₹50,000 for non-residents. These fees must be paid to the designated account.
- Supplementary Annexure-II: After verification of documents and payment of fees, the competent authority will issue a Supplementary Annexure-II listing the new slum holders. Only those listed in this annexure will be eligible for alternative resettlement flats under the slum rehabilitation scheme.
- Strict timelines: Slum dwellers must submit their applications within three months from the issuance of the GR, meaning all applications must be filed by January 1, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
Government Decision and Implementation
The Deputy Chief Minister has taken proactive steps by forming a committee to recommend the implementation of the Abhay Scheme, chaired by the Secretary of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). The Slum Rehabilitation Authority is responsible for notifying the list of pending or stalled schemes and ensuring that only eligible slum dwellers from these schemes receive the benefits.
This one-time scheme is intended to bring clarity and legal recognition to the slum holders affected by stalled projects, ensuring that the total number of slum dwellers does not increase. Once the Supplementary Annexure-II is issued, only those listed in it will be eligible for resettlement benefits. New slum holders following this issuance, except for those inheriting slums, will not qualify for further benefits.
🌟 Looking for Landmark Judgments and Orders? 🌟
The SRA is tasked with widely publicizing the Abhay Scheme, ensuring transparency, and guiding slum dwellers on how to apply for inclusion in Annexure-II