18 June,2026 10:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The decision was taken by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule (in pic) under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. FILE PIC
In a major relief to thousands of Sindhi displaced families, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced a one-year extension to the âSpecial Amnesty Scheme-2025' for regularisation of residential and commercial lands allotted to the community. Eligible beneficiaries can now submit their applications till May 15, 2027.
The decision was taken by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The scheme, which was launched in May 2025, aims to regularise violations of land allotment conditions and convert residential and commercial plots held by Sindhi displaced persons into full freehold properties with clear ownership rights. Many Sindhi families, who were allotted lands after the Partition of India, had been facing long-pending issues related to conditional ownership and breaches of original terms.
According to an official statement, the scheme received an overwhelming response from the community across the state. However, a large number of applications and supporting documents are still under process. To ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out, the government decided to extend the deadline by one year.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the issue of regularisation of lands allotted to Sindhi displaced persons had remained pending for several years. "The scheme received an encouraging response from the people. Considering the large number of pending applications, the government has decided to extend the scheme by one more year so that all deserving families can complete the process and get full ownership rights," he stated.
The extended scheme will apply to all notified areas in Maharashtra except Ulhasnagar in Thane district. Ulhasnagar, which has a significant Sindhi population, was kept out of the scheme due to specific local considerations.
The Special Amnesty Scheme was introduced to address the long-standing demands of the Sindhi community for clear title and ownership rights over properties allotted to them after the Partition. For decades, many families have been living on these lands under lease or conditional ownership, facing uncertainty and legal hurdles.
The extension is expected to benefit a large number of Sindhi families across the state who are seeking legal ownership of their residential and commercial properties. Officials believe the move will bring much-needed relief and stability to the community.
The Revenue Department has urged all eligible Sindhi displaced persons to submit their applications and complete the necessary formalities before the new deadline to avail the benefits of the scheme.
