Maharashtra unveils 'My House, My Right' policy, targets slum-free state by 2035

Providing affordable and adequate housing for all residents redeveloping old buildings and transforming slums through publicprivate partnerships are key components of the Maharashtra governmentrsquos new housing policy My House My Right reported news agency PTIA Government Resolution GR outlining the policy which was approved by the state cabinet in May was issued by the Housing Department on WednesdayThe government anticipates an investment of Rs 70000 crore during the policyrsquos implementationWith its focus on Housing for All the policy aims to achieve a slumfree state by 2035 specifically emphasising economically weaker sections lowerincome and middleincome segmentsAccording to PTI the government proposes to construct 35 lakh houses over the next five years with the ultimate target of building 50 lakh houses over ten yearsFurthermore the policy proposes a comprehensive and statewide survey to assess current and future housing needs This survey expected to be completed by 2026 forms a crucial part of the policy framework as stated in the GRThe policy aims to conduct a comprehensive slum rehabilitation and redevelopment programme redevelop old buildings to improve living conditions optimise land use and transform slums through publicprivate partnershipsThe GR states It promotes inclusive housing by capturing resources created by the private market integrated townships that offer affordable housing with essential services and industrial workersrsquo housing to ensure proximity to workplaces The lowincome groups senior citizens women industrial workers and students will be given priority in the policyIt further stated that the government plans to increase the size of the MahaAwas Fund to Rs 20000 crore PTI reportedThe ultimate target is to build 50 lakh houses in the next 10 years To achieve this target existing provisions under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations and Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations and relevant institutional frameworks will be strengthened and modified as needed the GR saidMoreover the GR stated that the State Housing Information Portal SHIP will soon be developed to provide information on housing development through government and private sector partnerships developers and staterun undertakingsIt explained that affordable housing has been granted infrastructure status which will enable developers to access External Commercial Borrowing ECB and Foreign Direct Investment FDI for their projects The affordable housing sector is also eligible for Priority Sector Lending PSL from banks and Housing Finance Companies HFCsUnder the Walk to Work concept around 10 to 30 per cent of land should be reserved for housing in MIDC Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation areas Such land should be handed over to the appropriate authority at the applicable acquisition price so that authority can create adequate housing stock in such areas The authority can also partner with the private industries to provide housing for industrial workers in a PPP model it addedAccording to PTI the policy proposes to reserve 10 to 15 per cent of land suitable for housing projects adjacent to ambitious infrastructure projects like the Samruddhi Expressway and the DelhiMumbai Industrial CorridorGreen building initiatives will be undertaken to promote sustainable development through ecofriendly practices and certificationsTo ensure inclusive development the policy will also address affordable housing for other vulnerable groups such as senior citizens working women students Project Affected Persons PAPs and migrant workersAmid the burgeoning challenges due to climate change the policy advocates for the construction of resilient and adaptable housesFurthermore the policy proposes a range of incentives including singlewindow clearance one per cent GST Floor Space Index FSI up to 25 commercial use permitted up to 10 per cent of utilised FSI concessions in development charges waiver of registration and stamp duty charges to operators reduced property tax for the first ten years of operation and 100 per cent deduction on the profit of operating student housingIt stated that slum rehabilitation schemes on public land can be implemented as a joint venture by setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle SPV and adopting the Dharavi model of 2080 redevelopment For this purpose the initiative will require the Slum Rehabilitation Authority SRA to establish a special purpose company in which the SRA should hold a 20 per cent stake with voting rightsThe GR also stated that the planned survey to assess current and future housing needs across all districts will serve as the foundation for future policymaking enabling datadriven decisions on housing development resource allocation and the prioritisation of infrastructure This exercise will also include an assessment of the existing housing stock socioeconomic profiles of households and the availability of basic infrastructure and civic amenitiesA major focus of the survey will be a detailed analysis of housing demand as the government aims to capture demands across various income groups and geographical areasThe policy will also facilitate a comprehensive land bank database to identify governmentowned land parcels suitable for residential use PTI reportedA survey will identify and verify government and semigovernment land available for construction with the data compiled into a districtwise digital land bankThe SHIP portal will also facilitate coordination between state and central departments including the PM Gati Shakti initiative urban local bodies and infrastructure agencieswith PTI inputs