Maharashtra government regularises residential encroachments up to 500 sq. ft. completely free

The Maharashtra government on Friday released a government resolution GR to regularise residential encroachments that existed as of January 1 2011 and are currently used solely for residential purposes The government hopes to resolve the housing issues of lakhs of poor and needy families in the state According to the GR this decision applies to the entire state except for the Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban districts Residential encroachments up to 500 square feet will be regularised at no cost For the remaining area only 10 per cent of the prevailing market value will be charged as the occupancy priceEncroachments on riverbeds canals grazing lands Gairan public roads forests cemeteries playgrounds or lands reserved for schools and hospitals will not be regularised under any circumstances The government has decided to provide alternative housing through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to families affected by these categoriesRevenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the governmentrsquos stance is that no needy family in the state should be without shelter ldquoWe have provided relief to lakhs of families by regularising encroachments up to January 1 2011 This will bring stability to their lives A review of this progress will be conducted every three monthsrdquo he statedThe minister said the primary objective of this decision is to reach the last person in society to achieve the lsquoHousing for Allrsquo policy and the lsquoDeveloped Maharashtra 2047rsquo goal Special committees have been established under the chairmanship of District Collectors SubDivisional Officers and Tehsildars to implement this scheme This eliminates the need for various separate government approvals as these committees will make the final decisionsldquoA 17member committee under the chairmanship of the Guardian Minister exists at the district level and committees will be established at the Assembly constituency level under the chairmanship of respective MLAs A comprehensive system is being prepared to handle eligibility terms and conditions area limits fee structures implementation procedures application deadlines verification and the execution machineryrdquo Bawankule addedHe further said land will be granted as lsquoOccupant Class2rsquo in the joint names of husband and wife A maximum of 1500 square feet will be regularised in both rural and urban areas Encroachments exceeding the limit will be demolished ldquoAll residential encroachments up to 500 square feet are completely free If a portion of the house is used for business 25 per cent of the market value will be charged A fee of Rs 1000 will apply for land registration up to 1000 square feet Voter ID an electricity bill or a property tax receipt prior to January 1 2011 will be valid Proof of residence for the last year is mandatoryrdquo he saidHowever Bawankule clarified that under no circumstances will the encroachment of a person who is not a citizen of India be regularised The implementing officers must ensure this is strictly enforced Instructions have been issued to file a police complaint if such encroachments are found