Mumbai: Conceding irregularities in the construction of houses under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme, Maharashtra Housing Minister Prakash Mehta today said action will be initiated against errant officials and builders within 24 hours of receipt of cheating complaints by slum dwellers. Mehta said the fine on developers found to be engaged in malpractices will also be increased from the present Rs 24 lakh if necessary.
The Housing Minister was replying to a query about pending SRA schemes and the irregularities in it. NCP MLC Prakash Binsale asked if the government is going to take any action against officials who have delayed SRA projects.
He also demanded that the scheme be implemented by MHADA. In his reply, Mehta said, “129 projects on BMC land and 96 on MHADA land are pending as the officials have not submitted proposals. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in December took meeting of SRA officials after 13 years and some issues have come up in that. The MHADA officials have accepted that not a single project was moved in last three years. The government is of the opinion that justice should be done to slum dwellers and action will be taken against officials and developers within 24 hours in case we find instances of cheating.”
“The present fine levied on developers is Rs 24 lakh. We will not hesitate to increase the fine amount if required. We have fined K K Construction Rs 24 lakh and a complaint has been lodged against M/s Arihant Construction Company at Mulund Police station. Also action has been taken against a total of 11 developers in the last one year,” Mehta said. The minister said that the government will formulate a comprehensive policy for Housing, in which the issue of SRA would be addressed properly.
“The CM has already announced to bring a new Housing policy and we will address the SRA issue in that. We will invite opinions from all the members concerned about the issue,” Mehta said.
