In a significant move aimed at benefiting the Sindhi displaced community in the state, the Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved a decision today to regularize land leases of Sindhi refugees under the "Special Abhaya Scheme-2025." This decision will pave the way for regularizing land leases for Sindhi displaced persons in 30 settlement areas across the state. The scheme will be in effect for one year.
During the Partition of India and Pakistan, properties in various parts of Maharashtra were declared as compensation land for displaced persons who had migrated from West Pakistan. The government had included a special initiative for regularizing these lands in its 100-day action plan. As part of this, the "Special Abhaya Scheme" will be implemented in 30 notified areas as declared in the Gazette on January 24, 1973, excluding Ulhasnagar in Thane district. The scheme will focus on regularizing both residential and commercial land leases of Sindhi refugees.
The regularization process will involve converting these land leases into ownership rights (freehold) in accordance with the law. To facilitate this, concessional rates will be applicable for properties up to 1,500 square feet. For residential use, a 5% premium will be charged, while for commercial use, the premium will be 10%. For land exceeding 1,500 square feet, the premium will be doubled.
If required, the scheme may be extended for an additional year to ensure its effective implementation. This initiative is expected to bring much-needed relief to the Sindhi displaced community and secure their property rights in the state.
