12 March,2026 01:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai on Thursday said the state government will hold discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar regarding demands to include first-floor slum dwellers under rehabilitation schemes implemented by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) in Mumbai, reported news agency PTI.
The issue was raised by several legislators in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, who highlighted that many residents in the city have been living on the first floors of slum structures for several decades and could be left out of redevelopment benefits under the current policy.
During the discussion in the assembly's Question Hour, members pointed out that excluding first-floor occupants from rehabilitation eligibility could make the goal of achieving a slum-free Mumbai more difficult, reported PTI.
Many slum settlements in the city have evolved over time into multi-level structures where families reside on upper floors built above original ground-floor units. Legislators argued that these long-standing occupants should also be considered for rehabilitation benefits when redevelopment projects are undertaken, reported PTI.
Responding to the discussion, Desai clarified that under the current SRA policy framework, only ground-floor structures are officially recognised and assigned identification numbers to determine eligibility for rehabilitation, reported PTI.
He said any proposal to extend eligibility to upper-floor residents, including the concept of recognising "one-plus-one" structures, would require policy-level changes.
"If any change, such as considering âone plus one' structures, is to be made, the matter will have to be discussed with the chief minister and both deputy chief ministers," Desai said, reported PTI.
He added that the Urban Development Department, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, would present the factual position to the top leadership before taking further action based on their directions.
The minister also addressed concerns raised by legislators regarding allegations that some developers had entered into agreements with first-floor occupants despite their current ineligibility under the existing rules.
Desai warned that such agreements would not be legally enforceable if they violate the prevailing laws governing slum redevelopment.
"Ignorance of the law cannot be an excuse. If agreements are executed in violation of the law, they are non-binding," he said, reported PTI.
He further assured the House that if specific details or complaints regarding such agreements are submitted to the government, the concerned department will examine the matter.
During the discussion, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar intervened and directed that all suggestions made by members regarding the inclusion of first-floor residents be officially recorded, reported PTI.
He instructed that these views be placed before the state government while examining the issue of possible policy changes related to SRA projects.
Desai said the government would present the concerns raised by legislators before the chief minister and deputy chief ministers and attempt to complete the consultation process at the earliest.
(With inputs from PTI)
