Non-slum buildings not part of redevelopment schemes….Sandeep Ashar
Mumbai : Developers will no longer be able to include non-slum buildings in a slum scheme to avail of floor space index (FSI ) incentives.The state government has decided to amend provisions of the slum act to curtail misuse of provisions andlend moreclarity in theimplementation of redevelopment schemes.
Minister of state for housing Sachin Ahir tabled a bill for amendments in the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement,Clearance and Redevelopment ) Act,1971,in the legislative assembly on Wednesday.
The government clarified that cessed buildings in the island city and old buildings belonging to the corporation would not be eligible for inclusion under a slum scheme.Other buildings constructed with permission from relevant agencies and those in an area where redevelopment is on under the urban renewal scheme,and which entails redevelopmentof an entirelayout,will also notbeeligible for inclusion under the slum scheme.
The original act include provisions,where non-slum residential buildings,which are found unfit for habitation or detrimental to the safety and health of locals by being dilapidated,overcrowded,lacking ventilation and sanitation facilities,or having faulty street arrangements,could be notified as a slum area,and redeveloped using FSI incentives offered under the slum redevelopment scheme.
Ahir said the amendment was being introduced after misuse of the provision came to light.Developers could,however,be in a position to club a project for redevelopment of such buildings with an independent project involving redevelopmentof surrounding slum structures.Ahir said in that case,the FSI incentives offered for slum redevelopment will not be extended to the non-slum portion.
A fresh clause stating that the area taken up for slum redevelopment will cease to be a notified slum area on completion of the rehabilitation scheme has been inserted.Within 30 days of completion of the rehabilitation component,the plotwillbetransferredin the nameofthe slum rehabilitation authority,which will lease it to the cooperative society formed by the beneficiary slum-dwellers for a 30-year renewable term.The land owning authority,the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation,state government or Mhada,will be compensated for the plot.Ahir said the provision will facilitate transfer of conveyance in the nameof thesocieties.The movewillimmediately benefit at least 1,000 societies, Ahir claimed.
The ploton whichthefreesalecomponent is to be constructed would be similarly leased to either the society or the developer.
The government has also decided to appoint a grievance redressalcommittee to hear issues involving slum schemes.The appointment is the result of a specific directive from the Bombay high court.Clauses requiring the developers to register themselves with the slum rehabilitation authority (SRA ) and specifying eligible slum-dweller have been introduced.Ahir said provisions for decentralisation of appellate authority,where appeals could be filed,had also been incorporated.
The amendments will come up for discussion in the assembly next week.