State defers slum transfer plan for now

Mumbai: The government has deferred a decision on a proposal that would make more slumdwellers eligible for rehabilitation.      In the run-up to civic polls, CM Prithviraj Chavan, who also heads the housing portfolio, had announced the decision to relax the eligibility criteria for slumdwellers in new redevelopment projects. Recognizing a slumdweller's right to transfer a slum structure, an amendment was to be introduced in the development control norms. While the existing norm allows only the original inhabitant of a pre-1995 (January 1) slum structure to be rehabilitated, the proposed modification will make new occupiers (including those who settled after the January 1, 1995, cut-off date) of such slum structures eligible for rehabilitation upon payment of a transfer fee.      The proposed amendment seeks to limit the eligibility criteria to a structure's existence before the cut-off date. The move is expected to allow 15-20% more slumdwellers to seek rehabilitation in redevelopment schemes.      In the post-election phase, the state is, however, dithering on a final decision in this regard. According to sources, the CM is concerned regarding the possibility of a further proliferation of slums and slum structures.      The CM reportedly expressed this concern during a meeting with minister of state for housing Sachin Ahir and top officials on Friday. Implications of the move on a related case pending in the apex court was also discussed. Chavan ordered officials to prepare a detailed inventory of slum structures and slumdwellers. It was decided to rely only on the 1995 electoral rolls for preparation of the list. While the CM has directed officials to assign top priority to the assignment and employ expert agencies to assist in the task, sources said this exercise could take more than a month. According to sources, no consensus could emerge on other technical questions related to the move, including the issue of multiple transfers and slum rises—a term used to define shanties having two or more levels.  Decks cleared for Dharavi redevpt T he Dharavi redevelopment plan will finally take off. The state government has decided to expedite the process of inviting tenders for starting work on Sector 5 in Dharavi, which will be developed by Mhada. TNN