The Maharashtra government has decided to create an Aadhaar-based database for beneficiaries of slum redevelopment schemes. This is being done to curb illegal transfers. State Housing Department directed the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) link Aadhaar card details and photographs of the beneficiaries for all new and ongoing schemes.
About 1,513 slum redevelopment projects are currently in progress. According to slum redevelopment schemes, slum dwellers cannot transfer or sell their rehabilitation homes for at least 10 years. Still a government survey has found transfers in at least 13,500 cases.
Earlier, CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a plan to legalise the ownership of those who have illegally purchased such a home within the lock-in period by paying the stipulated transfer fee and a penalty amount. Welcome the government directive, housing activist Ramesh Prabhu told The Indian Express that expensive real estate was the reason for people purchasing illegal slum rehabilitation homes, which are available at a much cheaper rate.
