Shambhuraj Desai says govt will review rehab demand of 1st-floor slum residents

Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai on Thursday said the state government will hold discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar regarding demands to include firstfloor slum dwellers under rehabilitation schemes implemented by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority SRA in Mumbai reported news agency PTIThe issue was raised by several legislators in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly who highlighted that many residents in the city have been living on the first floors of slum structures for several decades and could be left out of redevelopment benefits under the current policyLegislators raise concerns over exclusion of firstfloor residentsDuring the discussion in the assemblyrsquos Question Hour members pointed out that excluding firstfloor occupants from rehabilitation eligibility could make the goal of achieving a slumfree Mumbai more difficult reported PTIMany slum settlements in the city have evolved over time into multilevel structures where families reside on upper floors built above original groundfloor units Legislators argued that these longstanding occupants should also be considered for rehabilitation benefits when redevelopment projects are undertaken reported PTIExisting rules recognise only groundfloor structuresResponding to the discussion Desai clarified that under the current SRA policy framework only groundfloor structures are officially recognised and assigned identification numbers to determine eligibility for rehabilitation reported PTIHe said any proposal to extend eligibility to upperfloor residents including the concept of recognising ldquooneplusonerdquo structures would require policylevel changesldquoIf any change such as considering lsquoone plus onersquo structures is to be made the matter will have to be discussed with the chief minister and both deputy chief ministersrdquo Desai said reported PTIHe added that the Urban Development Department headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would present the factual position to the top leadership before taking further action based on their directionsGovernment cautions against informal agreements with buildersThe minister also addressed concerns raised by legislators regarding allegations that some developers had entered into agreements with firstfloor occupants despite their current ineligibility under the existing rulesDesai warned that such agreements would not be legally enforceable if they violate the prevailing laws governing slum redevelopmentldquoIgnorance of the law cannot be an excuse If agreements are executed in violation of the law they are nonbindingrdquo he said reported PTIHe further assured the House that if specific details or complaints regarding such agreements are submitted to the government the concerned department will examine the matterSpeaker directs government to consider membersrsquo suggestionsDuring the discussion Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar intervened and directed that all suggestions made by members regarding the inclusion of firstfloor residents be officially recorded reported PTIHe instructed that these views be placed before the state government while examining the issue of possible policy changes related to SRA projectsDesai said the government would present the concerns raised by legislators before the chief minister and deputy chief ministers and attempt to complete the consultation process at the earliestWith inputs from PTI